Process for componentizing of energy flows

ABSTRACT

Energy flows are segmented into components for tracking the location of energy consumption and production. Data collected on energy flows is used to create profiles of energy production and consumption over specified time windows for specific clients. Data profiles are also created for an aggregation of clients. The portion of an energy flow that is distributed to each client within an area is calculated. Based on data obtained and portions calculated of the energy flow, incentives are created to encourage energy production and usage in locations that reduce energy losses due to transmission of the energy flow. Aggregated data and feedback information about production and consumption is sent back to clients. Incentives can be in the form of pricing adjustments for both production and consumption during specified time periods.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/898,492 filed Sep. 10, 2019. The aforementionedapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application is related to energy distribution in a powergrid.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, energy has been produced by a small number of utilitiesand then distributed across the power grid. Energy production by theutilities can travel large geographic distances from dams, solar arraysand power plants. Energy traveling over large distances can experienceenergy loss. The energy loss comes from transmission and inefficienciesin the power grid.

Increasingly energy is produced by smaller producers. One example of asmall energy producer is a single family home with solar panels on theroof. With recent technologies, these single family homes produce energyto meet their own needs and excess energy that is sold back to theutility and distributed to the grid.

Meters for tracking the energy produced and consumed exist and are usedfor tracking production and consumption at particular points within thepower grid. These meters can read electrical consumption and productionover periods of time. The time period can be as small as a fraction of asecond.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above summarized description of illustrative embodiments of thepresent invention will be more fully understood upon consideration ofthe following detailed description and attached drawings, in which likereference numbers denote like system components and/or method steps, asappropriate, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a representation of a typical electrical transmission system.

FIG. 2 is a representation of the components of a power grid consistingof substations, transformers, transmission lines, and energy consumersand producers.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a configurations of nodes containinga selection of substations, transformers, energy producers and energyconsumers.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a configurations of nodes containinga selection of substations, transformers, energy producers and energyconsumers.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a configurations of nodes containinga selection of substations, transformers, energy producers and energyconsumers.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of enclosed boundaries signifyingdomains.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of enclosed boundaries signifyingdomains.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of enclosed boundaries signifyingdomains.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of enclosed boundaries signifyingdomains.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of enclosed boundaries signifyingdomains.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of enclosed boundaries signifyingdomains.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of enclosed boundaries signifyingdomains.

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of enclosed boundaries signifyingdomains.

FIG. 14 shows the bidirectional energy flow between the domain and theparent node and between the transformer node and the leaf nodes withinthe domain.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the domain boundary and energy flowbetween the leaf nodes, the domain boundary and the parent node.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the domain boundary and energy flowbetween the leaf nodes, the domain boundary and the parent node.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the domain boundary and energy flowbetween the leaf nodes, the domain boundary and the parent node.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of the domain boundary and energy flowbetween the leaf nodes, the domain boundary and the parent node.

FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of the domain boundary and energy flowbetween the leaf nodes, the domain boundary and the parent node.

FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of the domain boundary and energy flowbetween the leaf nodes, the domain boundary and the parent node.

FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of the domain boundary and energy flowbetween the leaf nodes, the domain boundary and the parent node.

FIG. 22 shows an embodiment of energy flows within the domain boundaryat a higher hierarchical level domain.

FIG. 23 shows an embodiment of energy flows within the domain boundaryat a higher hierarchical level domain.

FIG. 24 shows an embodiment of energy flows within the domain boundaryat a higher hierarchical level domain.

FIG. 25 shows an embodiment of energy flows within the domain boundaryat a higher hierarchical level domain.

FIG. 26 shows an embodiment of energy flows within the domain boundaryat a higher hierarchical level domain.

FIG. 27 shows an embodiment of the energy flows at the top domainboundary and parent node.

FIG. 28 shows an embodiment of the energy flows at the top domainboundary and parent node.

FIG. 29 shows an embodiment of the energy flows at the top domainboundary and parent node.

FIG. 30 shows an embodiment of the energy consumed or produced atvarious nodes and the energy flows across the nodes.

FIG. 31 shows an embodiment of the energy consumed or produced atvarious nodes and the energy flows across the nodes.

FIG. 32 shows an embodiment of the energy consumed or produced atvarious nodes and the energy flows across the nodes.

FIG. 33 shows hierarchical levels of substations, transformers, energyproducers and energy consumers.

FIG. 34 illustrates the steps for determining energy consumed orproduced at each domain level for a periodic time interval.

FIG. 35 shows the passage of energy produced and transmitted through thegrid level domain hierarchy to the top node.

FIG. 36 shows the equations that map the energy flow and portions ofconsumption along various domain levels enabling the calculation of theportions of energy consumed at various domain levels.

FIG. 37 shows the passage of energy produced and transmitted through thegrid level domain hierarchy to a different client node.

FIG. 38 shows the equations that map the energy flow and portions ofconsumption along various domain levels enabling the calculation of theportions of energy consumed at various domain levels.

FIG. 39 illustrates the steps for breaking down the quantity of energythat is consumed at each domain level.

FIG. 40 shows the passage of energy produced and transmitted through thegrid level domain hierarchy from substation to clients.

FIG. 41 shows equations that map the energy provided by various domainsto the lowest level client.

FIG. 42 illustrates the steps for breaking down the quantity of energythat is provided by each domain level to form the total energy consumedby the client.

FIG. 43 illustrates an energy flow scenario where all the energyproduced by the lowest level client stays within the lowest levelclient's domain.

FIG. 44 illustrates an energy flow scenario where all the energyconsumed by the lowest level client comes from within the lowest levelclient's domain.

FIG. 45 illustrates one embodiment of energy production profiles for aclient.

FIG. 46 illustrates one embodiment of energy production profiles for aclient.

FIG. 47 illustrates one embodiment of energy production profiles for aclient.

FIG. 48 shows the summation of the energy production profiles forclients within the same domain.

FIG. 49 shows a comparison between the summation of the energyproduction profiles of clients A, B, and C with the energy consumptionof client J.

FIG. 50 shows a comparison between the summation of the energyproduction profiles of clients A, B, and C, the energy consumption ofclient J, and the target energy consumption to be achieved by client J.

FIG. 51 illustrates one embodiment of an energy consumption profile fora client.

FIG. 52 illustrates one embodiment of an energy consumption profile fora client.

FIG. 53 illustrates one embodiment of an energy consumption profile fora client.

FIG. 54 shows the summation of the energy consumption profiles forclients within the same domain.

FIG. 55 shows a comparison between the summation of the energyconsumption profiles of clients J, K, and L with the energy productionof client A.

FIG. 56 shows a comparison between the summation of the energyconsumption profiles of clients J, K, and L, the energy production ofclient A, and the target energy production to be achieved by client A.

FIG. 57 illustrates the steps for plotting the profile or determiningenergy consumed or produced at each domain level for a periodic timeinterval.

FIG. 58 illustrates the method for computing the target value of eachclient RCi either as an energy producer or as an energy consumer tooptimally match the consumer needs or producer output, respectively.

FIG. 59 illustrates by means of a flow chart an overview of thehigh-level computing process that has an effect on the energy price viaclient energy adjustments based on feedback mechanisms.

FIG. 60 illustrates an exemplary computer architecture for use with thepresent system, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Today energy is produced by small households using solar panels or othermethods. These households can sell the energy that they produce back tothe utility who then sells that energy to their customers. Once theenergy is sold back on to the grid there is not a way to determine wherethe energy is distributed. The energy could be sold to the next doorneighbor of the household producing the energy or to a household manymiles away.

A method for determining where the produced energy is consumed isdescribed below. An electric power grid is divided into areas calleddomains. These areas are generally divided by the amount of impedancethat energy passing through the domains would experience. The energyconsumed and produced by each client within the domain is measured. Thenwith that data a determination of what fraction of the energy producedby an individual client is distributed to clients within the domain andeach higher level domain. Feedback values are generated with thisinformation to encourage production that will be distributed to fulfilllocal energy needs within the domain. Also, with feedback about energyuse and production within the domain pricing of consumed and producedenergy can be modified to encourage local production and consumption.

Relevant Terminology

Non-end nodes—nodes that have more than one link connected to the node,examples of non-end nodes might be distribution transformers, secondarysubstations, and primary substations.

End nodes or leaf nodes—nodes with only one link connected to the node.A special case root node can also have just one link connected to it.

PCC—Point of Common Coupling, typically between a generating facilityand the electric system.

Domain—a grouping of nodes that are electrically connected. The domainsare organized into a hierarchy.

“Primaries of” and “secondaries of”—these terms refer to transformerconnections on the primary windings and secondary windings,respectively. Transformers are mainly used to step up or step down thevoltages as needed and in some instances are used for electricallyisolating the circuits on the primary and secondary side.

PV cells or arrays—photovoltaic cells or arrays also known as PVs orsolar arrays.

Meter—Unless otherwise noted, the term meter refers to the energy meterthat measures both the energy produced by a client and the energyconsumed by a client.

Distance—distance does not necessarily mean physical distance. Here themeaning of distance is the amount of impedance or resistance that energyneeds to pass through from one point to another. For example, lowefficiency transformers or switches may have higher impedance orresistance, and hence a larger distance. In some cases, the physicaldistance can correlate to impedance. For example, very long transmissionlines can have a higher impedance than shorter transmission lines. Thegreater the distance that energy needs to travel, the higher the loss ofenergy. Energy is lost typically as heat, vibration and/or noise.

Electrical distance—Same as “Distance” defined above. Electricaldistance represents or correlates to the amount of the loss of energywhen energy is moved from a given point to another point. A greaterdistance corresponds to greater energy losses, a shorter distancecorresponds to smaller energy losses, in a given period of time.

“Electrically close” or “Electrically far”—the terms “electricallyclose” or “electrically far” here represent the amount of energy loss ina given period of time based on electrical distance or impedance.

RCx—represents any one of an end leaf node client, RC1 through RC11, inthe Figures.

DTy—represents any one of the distribution transformers, DTA throughDTF, in the Figures.

Service Area—the area under the purview of one or more utilitycompanies. Within the service area the utility company provides energy,energy transmission, and generation infrastructure support andmaintenance.

Client energy information—Information related to energy, such as theamount of energy that flowed through the metering device, the timeperiod the direction of energy flow and the periodic time window of theenergy flow. If energy flows into the client, then the client isconsuming energy. If energy flows out of the client, then the client isproducing energy.

Constituent or componentized flows of energy—the flows of energy whenmore than one energy source is present or when the flow of energy fromthe source is split and delivered to more than one consumer.

Dot Multiplication symbol—in the equations presented, the dot in themiddle (•) indicates multiplication just like the (x). Bothmultiplication symbols are used and denote that the values to the leftand the right of the symbol should be multiplied.

Time window, time slot, sampling window, periodic time window—all theseare meant to be equivalent terms representing the duration of timebetween each reading of energy consumed or produced at the energymetering device.

In the electrical grid system used for servicing a geographic area,typically, power is generated at one or more locations and thendistributed through transmission lines and transformers to end userclients.

About 5% of energy is lost in transmission and distribution (seehttps://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=105&t=3). The advancement madein this embodiment provides a framework and method to reduce thetransmission and distribution losses given the increasing advent anddeeper penetration of client level energy production and storage.

In one illustrative embodiment, data regarding energy produced orconsumed by clients is measured at the same instant across all clientsin a given service area. From this information the amount of energyflowing through key interconnect points or nodes is determined for eachperiodic time window.

In one illustrative system, the calculation of the amount of energy flowand other calculations described in detail below, can be performed atsuitable time periods much larger than the measurement, collection andstorage during the time window above.

One or more producers of energy for a given consumer client aredetermined, and one or more consumers of energy for a producer clientare determined. Energy consumed by a client may be received wholly or inpart from producers that are “electrically close” to the consumer clientor “electrically far” from the consumer client. Similarly, energyproduced by a client may have consumer clients that are “electricallyclose” or “electrically far.” The least amount of energy is lost whenconsumers and producers are “electrically close” to each other.

According to the proposed model, the cost to the consumer for the energywill depend on the electrical distance or impedance experienced by theenergy flow between the producer and the consumer. Likewise, the revenuefor the energy producer will depend on the electrical distance to eachof the consumer clients.

In the present embodiment, the topology of the electrical grid system issubdivided into hierarchical zones or domains. The term “domain” will beused in the rest of the description of this embodiment to refer to thetopological subdivisions.

According to one embodiment, at the lowest subdivision a domain consistsof a group of clients (residential, business, industrial clients, etc.)connected to a distribution transformer (DT). The point of connectionwhere the group of clients connect to the distribution transformer isknown as the Point of Common Coupling, or PCC. This group of clientstogether with the distribution transformer is defined as a domain.

One or more distribution transformers are connected to the nexthigher-level transformer such as a secondary substation transformer(SST). Similarly, the connection point on the secondary substationtransformer is the PCC. The DTs connecting to the PCC at the SST formthe next higher-level domain. This domain encompasses the lower leveldomains comprised of a DT and its respective clients.

The SSTs are further connected to the transformer known as primarysubstation transformers (PST) at the PCC. The group of SSTs with theirDTs and clients form the next higher-level domain, the PST with itsSSTs, DTs and clients form the next higher-level domain and so forthuntil the topmost domain is defined that encompasses all of the lowerlevel domains and hence all of the clients in the service area.

Generally, most clients are connected to the PCC at the DTs, some largeclients such are industrial clients or heavy industry clients (HIC) maybe connected directly to the PCC of SST or the PCC of PST.

Some clients have a dual role as consumers and producers of energy. Theclients may produce energy with PVs or solar arrays. From the point ofview of the PCC or the view from “in front of the meter,” such a clientcan be either an energy producer or consumer at any given point in time.Behind the meter, the client can be a producer and consumer of energy atthe same time. For instance, a client may produce energy in excess ofits needs whereby it not only consumes the energy it needs, but alsoputs excess energy out to the grid via the meter resulting in net energyproduction from the view of in front of the meter. Some clients who areenergy consumers during certain times, may have energy storagecapabilities, with or without solar arrays, such as battery storage orother means. These clients can also be energy producers when they putenergy out on the grid from their storage device. Some clients arepurely energy storage devices such as large arrays of batteries tied tothe grid that act as energy consumers when storing the energy and asenergy producers when putting energy out on the grid.

The net energy produced or consumed by a domain is calculated, within agiven periodic time window, based on the energy consumed or produced byclients in a given domain. Similarly, energy consumed or produced by oneor more next higher-level domains is calculated, up to the topmostdomain. From these calculations, the quantities of energy produced byeach of the source clients for a given consumer client are determined.Specifically, for a specific client domain the quantities of energy forthe source domains are calculated. Likewise, the quantity of energyconsumed by each of the consumer clients for a given producer client isdetermined.

In an alternative embodiment, a more specific granular breakdown ofenergy produced by the sources for a given consumer can be performed ifneeded. This will be described in more detail below.

The constituent flows of energy from producers in different hierarchicaldomains for a given consumer as the energy crosses the domainboundaries, is intended to be priced as follows—

PrCD₃<PrCD₂<PrCD₁<PrCD₀,

Where the smaller suffix number corresponds to the topmost domain, forexample PrCD₀ corresponds to the topmost domain, while PrCD₃ correspondsto the lowest domain. The lowest domain corresponding to the lowestprice and the highest domain corresponding to the highest price. Thebreakdown of the nomenclature is as follows: Pr for price, C forconsumer and Dx for the domain level x.

Likewise, the constituent flows of energy to consumers in differenthierarchical domains from a given producer as the energy crosses thedomain boundaries, is intended to be priced as follows—

PrPD₃>PrPD₂>PrPD₁>PrPD₀,

Where the smaller suffix number corresponds to the topmost domain, forexample PrPD₀ corresponds to the topmost domain, while PrPD₃ correspondsto the lowest domain. The lowest domain corresponding to the lowestprice and the highest domain corresponding to the highest price. Thebreakdown of the nomenclature is as follows: Pr for price, P forproducer and Dx for the domain level x.

As more energy traverses through more electrical grid components such astransformers and transmission lines, more losses occur in the form ofheat and electromagnetic vibrations in transformers. These losses arereferred to as electrical distance or impedance. These losses stress thesystem and lead to a reduced lifespan for the components, therebyincreasing grid maintenance needs. With the system and method providedin this description, the maintenance entity of the electric grid canobtain its revenue based on the distance traversed by energy. A pricingstructure indicated above helps facilitate a “distance-based” pricing.The embodiment described here enables such a pricing structure.

Energy profiles presented to each client at the individual client levelsand at the domain levels as needed, provide a feedback mechanism to tuneor adjust energy production or consumption amounts in the periodic timewindows to reduce the price of energy for the consumer client andincrease the selling price for the energy produced by the producer,thereby creating an incentivizing tool for both the energy consumer andproducer.

Such a feedback mechanism to tune or adjust energy production orconsumption amounts and the time windows for those amounts can be doneeither manually or using one or more of the devices and componentsbehind the meter that produce, store and consume energy. The feedbackmechanism can either provide a separate system of energy monitoring andcontrol of such various devices and components, or, program the devicesthemselves to the extent the devices lend themselves to beingprogrammed, or a combination of both and with or without programmaticmachine learning techniques. Such a feedback mechanism may have theability to predict what future energy profiles will be based on pastprofiles and adjust consumption and production accordingly.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified example of the electrical energy transmissionsystem from energy generation in the power plant 105 to energy consumersin the form of an industrial client 145 and a residential home 160. Theenergy is carried through transmission lines 130 and various step-up andstep-down transformers 115, 125, 140 and 150. Starting from the powerplant 105, the first transformer 115 is the step-up Grid Substationtransformer (GSS) that boosts the voltage, to lower the losses for longdistance energy transmission. Closer to the region or regions ofdistribution, the transmission line 130 connects to a step-down PrimarySubstation transformer (PSS) 125 for a more localized regionaldistribution. Further into the individual region or regions, the voltageis further stepped down to intermediate levels through yet anotherstep-down transformer 140 also known as a Secondary Substationtransformer (SST) for distributing energy directly to the industrialclient 145 or residential homes in localized neighborhoods in theregion. For final distribution of energy into homes or small businesses,the voltage is further reduced to the levels suitable for residentialhomes 160 and small businesses via the step-down Distributiontransformer (DT) 155.

FIG. 1 also shows virtual demarcation lines 110, 120, 135 and 150. Thesedemarcation lines denote the separation between domains. The domains areorganized in hierarchical levels. The hierarchical levels are Level 0which is below demarcation line 110, containing the power plant 105,Level 1 is in between demarcation lines 110 and 120, Level 2 is inbetween demarcation lines 120 and 135, Level 3 which is in betweendemarcation lines 135 and 150, and Level 4 which is above demarcationline 150, containing the residential home 160.

Such an electrical energy transmission system comprising of grid levelpower plants with various step-up and step-down transformers, can berepresented as managed by a grid management entity (GME), where the GMEmay be comprised of one or more sub-entities in the form of partners orcollaborators, together responsible for ensuring reliable provision ofenergy to the end clients. The end clients may be producers ofelectricity via power plants or solar arrays and may have energy storagedevices as illustrated below. Such a GME (or sub-entity within the GME)may be responsible for the overall grid reliability, resiliency andmaintenance of the grid.

FIG. 2 illustrates a representation of an electrical grid system. At thetop of the hierarchy is the Grid Substation Transformer (GSS) 205 whoseprimary lines are connected to energy sources such as the power plant210 via electric link 215, a high capacity grid level solar array (SOLARARRAY 1) 220 via electric link 225, a high capacity grid storage device(BATTERY STORAGE 1) 230 via electric link 235, and a Heavy IndustryClient (HIC 1) 240 via electric link 245. Note that in practice an HICconnecting to the GSS 205 would be rare. However, it is presented heremerely to illustrate possible configurations.

The GSS 205 is connected via electric link 250 to the PrimarySub-Station (PSS) 255. The PSS 255 is electrically linked to theSecondary Substation transformers SSSA 260, SSSB 265, and SSSC 270 viaelectric links 275, 280, and 285, respectively.

FIGS. 3-5 show examples of variations of the kind and number of clientssupported via Secondary Substation transformers (SSTs). Many other suchvariations may exist.

FIG. 3 shows one possible configuration of nodes containing a selectionof substations, transformers, energy producers and energy consumers. Thenodes are arranged around SSSA 260. The electrical link 275 connectingSSSA 260 to the PSS 255 is depicted as well as the electrical links 320,325, and 330 between the SSSA 260 and the Distribution Transformers DTA305, DTB 310, and DTC 315. DTA 305, DTB 310, and DTC 315 are connectedto residential or small business clients RC1 365, RC2 370, RC3 375, RC4380, RC5 385, and RC6 390 by respective electric links 335, 340, 345,350, 355, and 360. RC1 365, RC2 370, RC3 375, RC4 380, RC5 385, and RC6390 are consumers or producers of energy. Some DTs are connected tomultiple clients such as DTA 305 and DTC 315. Some distributiontransformers such as DTB 310 may be connected by an electric link 350 toa single client, RC4 380, which may be a very large home or business.

FIG. 4 shows one possible configuration of nodes containing a selectionof substations, transformers, energy producers and energy consumers.SSSB 265 is connected to the PSS 255 by electrical link 280. SSSB 265 iselectrically linked to DTD 425 and DTF 440 by electric links 430 and435, respectively. DTD 425 is further connected to clients RC7 460, RC8465, and RC9 470 with electric links 445, 450, and 455 and DTF 440 isfurther connected to RC10 485, and RC11 490 with electric links 475 and480. SSSB 265 also has a solar array client (SOLAR ARRAY 2) 405 and astorage device client (BATTERY STORAGE 2) 420 connected to SSSB 265 byelectric links 410 and 415, respectively. The solar array client SOLARARRAY 2 405 and storage device client BATTERY STORAGE 2 420 that areconnected to SSSB 265 are typically large grid level solar arrays andstorage devices. They may be managed and operated by the GME or by athird-party business client in the business of producing and storingenergy.

FIG. 5 shows one possible configuration of nodes containing a selectionof substations, transformers, energy producers and energy consumers. InFIG. 5 the Secondary Substation transformer SSSC 270 is not connected toa DT, but rather to a large solar array (SOLAR ARRAY 3) 520 and to anindustrial client (IC1) 505 via electric links 510 and 515,respectively. SSSC 270 is also connected to the PSS by 255 by electriclink 285. FIG. 6 shows virtual boundaries 610, 620 and 630 encompassingDTA 305, DTB 310 and DTC 315 and their respective clients. These virtualboundaries represent domains. The domain surrounding DTA 305 is DomDTA610 and is signified by a boundary line and contains DTA 305, RC1 365,RC2 370 and RC3 375. The domain surrounding DTB 310 is DomDTB 620 and issignified by a boundary line and contains DTB 310 and RC4 380. Thedomain surrounding DTC 315 is DomDTC 315 and is signified by a boundaryline and contains DTC 315, RC5 385, and RC6 390. These virtualboundaries are similar to the boundary line 167 (Level 3) illustrated inFIG. 1. This virtual boundary is representative of a domain. Domains areidentified below with a prefix “Dom” followed by the transformer name,substation name, or primary substation name. In this embodiment, thetransformer is also a parent node to the child or leaf nodes below it,which may be other transformers (parent nodes). That is, the domainencompassing DTA 305 and its child nodes RC1 365, RC2 370 and RC3 375 isnamed as Dom DTA 610. A domain containing a child node and adistribution transformer is at a lower level than a domain containing achild node, a distribution transformer, and a substation transformer.

FIG. 7 shows the domain DomSSSA 710 comprised of SSSA 260 and thesurrounding domains DomDTA 610, DomDTB 620, and DomDTC 630.Hierarchically, the domain DomSSSA 710 encapsulating SSSA is a higherlevel domain than the domains DomDTA 610, DomDTB 620 and DomDTC 630.

FIG. 8 shows the domains of transformers DTD 425 and DTF 440 that areelectrically linked to SSSB 265 by respective electric links 430 and435. DomDTD 810 encompasses DTD 425, RC7 460, RC8 465, and RC9 470 andthe respective electrical links 460, 465, and 470 between DTD 425 andRC7 460, RC8 465, and RC9 470. Dom DTF 820 encompasses DTF 440, RC10 485and RC11 490 and the respective electrical links 485 and 490 between DTF440 and RC10 485 and RC11 490.

FIG. 9 shows the domain surrounding SSSB 265, DomSSSB 910. DomSSSB 910is one level higher than DomDTD 810 and DomDTF 820 shown in FIG. 8. Inaddition to encompassing DomDTD 810 and DomDTF 820, DomSSSB 910 alsoencompasses SOLAR ARRAY 2 405 and BATTERY STORAGE 2 420.

FIG. 10 shows how SSSC 270 is separated into a domain, DomSSSC 1010.DomSSSC 1010 encompasses SSSC 270, IC 1 505 and SOLAR ARRAY 3 520.

FIG. 11 shows the further domain encapsulation of PSS 255, this domainis DomPSS 1110. Dom PSS 1110 encapsulates the Primary Substationtransformer PSS 255 and the Secondary Substation transformers SSSA 260,SSSB 265, and SSSC 270 and their clients via Distribution transformersor direct connection.

FIG. 12 shows the domain encapsulation, DomGSS 1210, that includes thestep-up Grid Substation transformer GSS 205, a heavy industry client HIC1 240 and PSS 255 and all of its clients. The domain encapsulationDomGSS 1210 in this Figure is shown as a dashed line to visualize thisdomain level. Power Plant 210, Solar Array 1 220, and Battery Storage 1230 are also connected to the GSS 205 but are not part of DomGSS 1210.

In FIG. 13, GSS 205 has an additional electric connection 1310 to a PeerGrid 1320 at an equivalent point in the other Peer Grid 1320 (notshown). The electrical connection 1310 to the peer grid 1320 isillustrated to show that such a connection can act as another providerof energy to the domain DomGSS 1210 indicated here, or appear as aconsumer of energy to DomGSS 1210. However, it will not be used in anyenergy flow calculations in the examples cited here, since at this levelthe control is with the GME. That does not limit or diminish the systemand method capabilities in this disclosure. However, in practice if needbe, energy flow calculations as described in this disclosure can beperformed with proper metering of the different devices.

FIG. 14 illustrates as an example the energy flows 1410, 1420, 1430, and1440 between DTA 305 and the end node clients RC1 365, RC2 370 and RC3375. Energy flow between any two connection points can flow in eitherdirection. The end node clients can be consumers of electrical energy orproducers via solar arrays or stored energy. The net result of energy inthe domain Dom DTA 450 and its end node clients RC1 365, RC2 370 and RC3375, can flow 1410 in or out of the domain to SSSA 260. At any giveninstant in time, energy can only flow in one direction between any twonodes.

It is also possible for the net result of energy within an encapsulateddomain to be zero. That is, all energy produced within the domain by theend node clients is completely consumed by other end node clients. Ifthere is excess energy in the domain, then the excess energy will moveout to the next higher-level domain, such as to the transformer that itis connected to.

FIGS. 15-21 illustrate some of the scenarios of energy movement that canoccur. In FIG. 15 the rectangular box 1510 shown at the domain boundaryis a representation of the PCC for the Distribution transformer DTA 305.Inside of the domain boundary 610 the end node clients RC1 365, RC2 370and RC3 375 are connected to the transformer. The Distributiontransformer DTA 305 is connected to the SSSA 260 by the PCC 1510. FIG.15 shows RC2 370 distributing energy to RC1 365 and RC3 375 within theirdomain DomDTA 610. Energy flow 1520 from RC2 370 to RC1 365 and energyflow 1530 from RC2 370 to RC3 375 are shown.

FIG. 16 shows one potential scenario of energy flows within DomDTA 610.Energy flow 1610 travelling from producer RC1 365 to consumer RC2 370and energy flow 1620 from RC3 375 to RC2 370. Here the energy producedby RC1 365 and RC3 375 is consumed within the domain DTA 610 at RC2 370.

FIG. 17 shows one potential scenario of energy flows within DomDTA 610.Energy flow 1730 travelling from producer RC2 370 to consumer RC1 365and energy flow 1740 from RC2 370 to RC3 375. Here RC2 370 producesexcess energy beyond what is consumed by RC1 365 and RC3 375, the excessenergy flows from RC2 370 to the PCC 1510 for DTA 305, the energy flowis labeled 1720. The energy flow 1710 shows the excess energy flowingfrom PCC 1510 to SSSA 260.

FIG. 18 shows one potential scenario of energy flows within DomDTA 610.Here, energy production by RC1 365 and RC3 375 are shown. Excess energyalso flows back towards the PCC 1510 and the SSSA 260. Energy flow 1840shows energy flowing from RC1 365 to RC2 370 and energy flow 1820 showsenergy flowing from RC1 365 to the PCC 1510. Energy flow 1850 showsenergy flowing from RC3 375 to RC2 370 and energy flow 1830 shows energyflowing from RC3 375 to the PCC 1510. Energy flow 1810 shows excessenergy flowing from PCC 1510 to SSSA 260.

FIG. 19 shows one potential scenario where there is an energy deficitwithin DomDTA 610. Energy flow 1910 shows energy flowing from SSSA 260to PCC 1510. Energy flow 1920 shows energy flowing from PCC 1510 to RC1365 and energy flow 1940 shows energy flowing from RC2 370 to RC1 365.Energy flow 1930 shows energy flowing from PCC 1510 to RC3 375 andenergy flow 1950 shows energy flowing from RC2 370 to RC3 375.

FIG. 20 shows one potential scenario where RC2 370 consumes all of theenergy generated within the domain DomDTA 610 plus additional energyobtained from SSSA 260. The energy flow 2010 from SSSA 260 to PCC 1510is shown, then the energy flow 2020 from PCC 1510 to RC2 370. The energyflow 2030 from RC1 365 to RC2 370 and the energy flow 2040 from RC3 375to RC2 370 are also shown.

FIG. 21 shows all three clients RC1 365, RC2 370, and RC3 375 consumingmore energy than is produced within DomDTA 610. RC1 365, RC2 370, andRC3 375 may not produce energy and may only be consumers or they may beconsuming more energy than they produce. Energy flow 2110 shows energyflowing from SSSA 260 to PCC 1510. The energy flow 2120 from PCC 1510 toRC1 365, the energy flow 2140 from PCC 1510 to RC2 370 and the energyflow 2130 from PCC 1510 to RC3 375 are also shown.

FIG. 22 shows energy movement viewed from the next higher-level domainDomSSSA 710 that encompasses the domains Dom DTA 610, DomDTB 620 andDomDTC 630. Energy flows 2220, 2230 and 2240 between the inner domains,DomDTA 610, DomDTB 620 and DomDTC 630, and the Secondary Sub-stationtransformer SSSA 260 and encompassed by the outer domain DomSSSA 710 isshown. The net energy of this DomSSSA 710 can flow in either direction2210 between SSSA 260 and the Primary Substation transformer PSS 255through the domain boundary for DomSSSA 710. Energy flows between theinner domains DomDTA 610, DomDTB 620, and DomDTC 630 and SSSA 260 can bein either direction. Various scenarios for energy flow between thedomains are shown in FIGS. 23-26. As above, the rectangular box in eachof these figures represents the PCC at the Secondary Substationtransformer SSSA 260 connection.

FIG. 23 shows energy flowing from the PSS 255 through the PCC 2320 tothe domains DomDTA 610, DomDTB 620, and DomDTC 630. The energy flow 2310from the PSS 255 to the PCC 2320, the energy flow 2330 from the PCC 2320to DomDTA 610, the energy flow 2340 from the PCC 2320 to DomDTB 620, andthe energy flow 2350 from the PCC 2320 to DomDTC 630, are shown. In thisscenario DomSSSA 710 is a net consumer of energy.

FIG. 24 shows energy flowing from the domains DomDTA 610, DomDTB 620,and DomDTC 630 through the PCC 2320 to the PSS 255. The energy flow 2420from the Dom DTA 610 to PCC 2320, the energy flow 2430 from the DomDTB620 to PCC 2320, the energy flow 2440 from the DomDTC 630 to PCC 2320,and the energy flow 2410 from the PCC 2320 to the PSS 255, are shown. Inthis scenario DomSSSA 710 is a net producer of energy.

FIG. 25 shows energy flowing within DomSSSA 710, all energy producedwithin DomSSSA 710 is consumed within DomSSSA 710 according to thisembodiment. The PSS 255 is connected to the PCC 2320. The energy flows2520 from Dom DTA 610 to DomDTB 620 and the energy flows 2510 fromDomDTA 610 to DomDTC 630 are shown.

FIG. 26 shows an embodiment where all energy produced within DomSSSA 710is consumed within DomSSSA 710. Additionally, DomDTB 620 either is notconsuming or producing energy at the current periodic time window or itis consuming all of the power that it is generating at the currentperiodic time window. The energy flow 2610 from DomDTA 610 to DomDTC 630is shown.

FIG. 27 shows energy flows within the next higher-level domain, DomPSS255. Possible directions of energy flow between the domains DomSSSA 710,DomSSSB 910 and DomSSSC 1010 encapsulating SSSA 260, SSSB 265 and SSSC270 and all their child nodes, and the Primary Substation transformerPSS 255 are shown in FIG. 27. Energy flow in either direction 2710 takesplace between the higher-level domain DomPSS 1110 and GSS 205. Theenergy flow 2720 flows in either direction between PSS 255 and DomSSSA710, the energy flow 2730 flows in either direction between PSS 255 andDomSSSB 910, and the energy flow 2740 flows in either direction betweenPSS 255 and DomSSSC 1010, are shown.

Energy being produced within one domain such as DomSSSA 710 and consumedwithin DomSSSA 710 experiences the least impedance because it does notcross a domain boundary. When energy flows cross the boundary line ofDomSSSA 710 and pass into DomPSS 1110 the energy flow experiencesincreased impedance. If the same energy flow then travels into DomSSSB910, the energy flow experiences increased impedance when it entersDomSSSB.

Another example is that an energy flow flowing from GSS 205 experiencesincreased impedance when it crosses into DomPSS 255. The energy flowthen experiences increased impedance when it travels into DomSSSA 710.Whereas if energy that is consumed in DomSSSA 710 is produced in DomSSSA710, that energy flow will experience less impedance than the energyflow travelling from GSS 205.

A couple representative energy flow scenarios are illustrated in FIGS.28 and 29. Many other scenarios of various energy flow combinationswithin the domains can exist. The central idea of the flow of energy isimportant for the understanding of the subsequent flow determinations.It is not essential to show all flow combinations, since many differentflow combinations are possible. As above, the rectangular box 2810represents the PCC at the Primary Substation transformer PSS 255.

FIG. 28 shows an embodiment where energy is flowing from the GSS 205into DomPSS 1110 through the PCC 2810 to DomSSSA 710, DomSSSB 910, andDomSSSC 1010. In this embodiment DomPSS 1110 is a net energy consumer.Energy flow 2820 flows from the GSS 205 to PCC 2810, then energy flow2830 flows from the PCC 2810 to DomSSSA 710, and energy flow 2840 flowsfrom the PCC 2810 to DomSSSB 910 and energy flow 2850 flows from the PCC2810 to DomSSSA 1010, as shown. DomSSSA 710, DomSSSB 910, and DomSSSC1010 are all with DomPSS 1110.

FIG. 29 shows an embodiment where DomPSS 1110 is a net energy producer.Energy flows from DomSSSB 910 out to DomSSSA 710 and out of DomPSS 1110towards the GSS 205. DomSSSC 1010 does not have energy flowing into orout of it, either the energy produced by DomSSSC 1010 is completelyconsumed within DomSSSC 1010 or there is neither energy production norconsumption within DomSSSC 1010. The energy flow 2930 shows energyflowing from DomSSSB 910 to DomSSSA 710. The energy flow 2920 showsenergy flowing from DomSSSB 910 to PCC 2810. The energy flow 2910 showsenergy flowing from PCC 2810 to GSS 205.

For the grid topology that has been described, a few example energyflows with the full topology in view are illustrated in FIGS. 30-32. Tokeep the illustration clearer and not overcrowded, the SecondarySubstation transformer SSSC 270 and its client nodes IC 1 505 and SOLARARRAY 3 520 are not shown. For simplicity, the domain containing SSSC isshown with a dotted line 3060 in FIGS. 30-32. This in no way changes theidea or embodiment as described herein. This topology can be viewed as atree graph with the end nodes or leaf nodes represented by RC1 365, RC2370, RC3 375, RC4 380, RC5 385, RC6 390, RC7 460, RC8 465, RC9 470, RC10485, RC11 490, SOLAR ARRAY 1 220, SOLAR ARRAY 2 405, BATTERY STORAGE 1230, BATTERY STORAGE 2 420, POWER PLANT 210, and HIC 1 240. GSS 205forms the root node. Since, the POWER PLANT 210, SOLAR ARRAY 1 220,BATTERY STORAGE 1 230, HIC 1 240 are end nodes directly connected to theroot node GSS 205, the energy flow to or from these end nodes does nothave an energy component of any higher node or domain level. Forexample, the heavy industry client HIC 1 240, could consume energy thatmay be provided either by the POWER PLANT 210, SOLAR ARRAY 1 220,BATTERY STORAGE 1 230, or from the PSS 255, all via GSS 205.

Also, for further simplicity to clarify the method of determining thepertinent composition of energy sources or composition of energy tovarious consumers from a source, as the case may be, BATTERY STORAGE 2420 is shown as disconnected 3010 from the grid in FIGS. 30-32.Similarly, SOLAR ARRAY 2 405 is shown disconnected 3020 in FIGS. 30 and32, while it remains connected 3110 in FIG. 31. For furtherclarification, the energy consumed or produced 3030 by the end leaf nodeclients (RC1-RC11), is indicated by a positive or negative number. Whenthe client produces energy, the number is positive and the arrow pointsfrom RCx towards the Distribution transformer DTy with the same absolutevalue 3040 indicated in parenthesis besides the arrow. Note that thesevalues are for the energy consumed or produced in the given samplingtime window as described in detail below. In RCx, x is from 1 to 11, andin DTy, y is A, B, C, D or F.

When the client consumes energy, the number 3030 is negative and thearrow points to RCx from the Distribution transformer DTy with the sameabsolute value 3040 indicated in parenthesis besides the arrow. Each ofthe client leaf nodes is indicated with either the letter P or C 3050,indicating that it is either an energy producer or energy consumer inthe periodic time window. Each of the nodes above the leaf nodes, isalso a parent node and is encompassed by the domain at that level. Theletters P or C 3050, at the parent nodes also represents the net energyconsumption or production at the domain level that encompasses theparent node.

FIG. 30 shows one embodiment of energy production and consumption on apower grid. Here individual clients like RC1 365 through RC11 490 can beenergy producers or consumers. Net values of energy production andconsumption are shown as the energy travels between the different nodes.If a node is a net producer then energy travels up to the next higherlevel domain. Such as RC9 470 produces energy 100 units that travels upto DTD 425. Then, since there is net production at the distributiontransformer level the energy travels further up the hierarchy to SSSB265.

Referring to FIG. 30, according to one embodiment, consider the clientRC8 465. For the represented time window, RC8 465 consumes 200 units ofenergy. RC8 465 receives energy from the Distribution transformer DTD425. Clients RC7 460 and RC9 470 are also connected to DTD 425 andproduce energy and feed it to DTD 425. The sum total of energy producedby RC7 460 and RC9 470 is 150 +100 =250 units. 250 units is greater thanthe client node RC8′s 465 consumption of 200 units. The domain DomDTD810 encapsulating DTD 425, RC7 460, RC8 465 and RC9 470 will be a netproducer of energy during the periodic time window. This means thatRC8′s 465 energy needs are being completely satisfied by the energyproduction within this domain, DomDTD 810.

As for the energy produced by RC7 460 and RC9 470, part of that energyis consumed by RC8 465, and part of the energy gets pushed up throughthe domain to the next higher-level domain DomSSSB 910 to the SecondarySubstation transformer SSSB 265. If this higher-level domain is also anet energy producer for the same periodic time window, then the part ofthe energy produced by RC7 460 and RC9 470 that was not consumed by RC8465, will get pushed up further to the next higher-level domain DomPSS1110 to the Primary Substation transformer PSS 255, and so on. In theexample in FIG. 30, this energy is pushed up further to GSS 205 togetherwith energy produced by the domain DomSSSA 710 containing SSSA 260.

FIG. 31 shows energy flow within the power grid according to anotherembodiment. Here again the domain DomDTD 810 containing DTD 425 and itsclients is a net producer of energy. The client energy producers RC7 460and RC9 465 provide energy to RC8 465 which is in its local domain DomDTD 810, but also the remaining energy is pushed to SSSB 265. While thedomain DomSSSB 910 encompassing SSSB 265 is a net producer, thelower-level domain DomDTF 820 containing DTF 440, RC10 485 and RC11 490is a consumer of energy during the periodic time window. Therefore, theenergy pushed from DTD 425 gets split into some portion supplying energyto DTF 440, and the remaining portion of energy being pushed to PSS 255via SSSB 265. Similarly, SOLAR ARRAY 2 405 connected to SSSB 265produces energy that is split to contribute energy to DTF 440, and theremainder is pushed to PSS 255 via SSSB 265. This energy is splitfurther at PSS 255 since some energy flows to SSSA 260 and some energyis pushed further up to GSS 205 via PSS 255. The method for calculatingthe amounts of these splits is presented below.

FIG. 32 shows yet another embodiment with different energy consumptionand production values from FIGS. 30 and 31. Consider the client RC1 365,the energy produced by RC1 365 in a given periodic time window is 90units. RC1 365 is connected to DTA 305. The domain DomDTA 610 containingDTA 305 is a lowest level domain and contains RC1 365, RC2 370 and RC3375. RC2 370 and RC3 375 are energy consumers in the periodic timewindow. Their total energy consumption is 70+100=170 units. This isgreater than the energy produced by RC1 365. Thus, domain DomDTA 610 isa net consumer of energy in the periodic time window. That means, theenergy produced by RC1 365 is completely consumed by the energy needswithin its domain Dom DTA 610.

DomDTA 610 is a net consumer of energy as mentioned above. The clientenergy consumers RC2 370 and RC3 375 consume energy from RC1 365 andalso consume energy from the domain DomSSSA 710 obtained from the nextlevel up containing SSSA 260. Since, the domain DomSSSA 710 is a netconsumer of energy in the periodic time window, that energy is obtainedfrom the domain DomPSS 1110 at the next level up containing PSS 255, andso forth. That means, the energy consumed by clients RC2 370 and RC3 375is composed of parts of energy from RC1 365, from the domain DomSSSA 710at the next level up, and from the domain DomPSS 1110 even further upthe next level domain, and also from GSS 205. The method for calculatingthe amounts of these constituent parts of energy consumed by RC2 370 orRC3 375 is discussed below.

To create a hierarchical tree structure of the domains. In an electricalgrid, define nodes that represent impedance devices such astransformers, long transmission lines, or any other medium through whichenergy passes. Such nodes form a tree structure in the electricaltopology. Each node has one parent node and one or more child nodes. Theend nodes in the tree structure can be of two kinds. The node that hasone parent but no child nodes are called leaf nodes. There will be onenode that has one or more child nodes but no parent node. We call thisnode as a root node.

A domain is defined as an enclosed boundary containing the node with allits child nodes. By this definition, all leaf nodes also have a domainthat contains just the leaf node. Also, by this definition, the enclosedboundary that defines the domain for the root node, will include eachand every node including all the leaf nodes in the tree structure. Therecan be an impedance, or “cost” value assigned for each domain.Typically, at the leaf nodes, those leaf nodes that belong to the sameparent, are likely to be physically close to the parent node and alsohave near identical impedances. The cost being the same, we can omit adomain boundary for such leaf nodes. The domain boundary of its parentnode can be sufficient. To simplify the examples, the figures haveomitted the domain boundaries containing single leaf nodes.

It is the tree structure in the topology with the above definition ofdomain boundary creation that gives rise to the domain hierarchies. Theleaf nodes are encompassed by their immediate parent node. The parentnodes are encompassed by their parent nodes, and so forth. The domain atthe root node is at the highest level from the point of view of a leafnode farthest from the root node. In other words, there can be a leafnode (node without children) whose parent is the root node. Such a leafnode is relatively close to the root node. Energy transfer takes placesbetween leaf nodes. All other nodes including the root node are mediumsof energy transfer with a certain impedance or cost. When energytransfers from source to destination through such mediums, therebycrossing domain boundaries, the impedances, or costs, get addedcumulatively for that flow of energy transfer.

FIG. 33 is a depiction of the hierarchical levels of the domains. FIG.33 illustrates the same node representations as in the previous FIGS.30, 31, and 32. In FIG. 33, the different peer levels are illustrated atthe same vertical level for easier visualization and clarity. The domainlevels in previous FIGS. 6-9, 11 and 12 can be visualized as horizontallevels L3 3340, L2 3330, L1 3320 and LO 3310. L1 3320 is the level forDomPSS 1110. L2 is the level for DomSSSA 710, DomSSSB 910, and DomSSSC1010 (not pictured). L3 3340 is the level for DomDTA 610, DomDTB 620,Dom DTC 630, DomDTD 810, and DomDTF 820.

The stages for computation of the constituent parts of energy flows arepresented in the following paragraphs.

FIG. 34 shows how to divide the electric grid into domains. At step3410, the electric grid must be mapped creating a tree data structure. Atree data structure consisting of parent nodes and child nodes iscreated to map the grid topology based on the grid topology, whichconsists of numerous end clients served via transmission lines andtransformers. Domains are demarcated and domain levels assigned asdescribed earlier. The tree data structure can remain static as long asthe topography remains electrically unchanged. In situations ofredundant grid circuits, the physical grid topography may appear to havea mesh structure that contains electrically unused portions for backupconnections. When a portion of a grid fails, then the redundant unusedportion can be switched in to restore power to some or all of theaffected areas. (Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_grid). The electricaltopography can change based on actual physical changes to the gridlayout or topography, addition or removal of clients, power outagescenarios, switching in or switching out portions of the grid, as inback up connections brought into service or put back to standby. Allsuch scenarios are programmed into the tree data structure and whenelectrical topographical changes take place, the proper tree datastructure to reflect the topology of the current periodic time window isupdated or selected.

A tree data structure is created that maps the clients in the ServiceArea and the hierarchy of the clients connected to common distributiontransformers. The distribution transformers are connected to SecondarySubstation transformers, up to the step-up transformer, Grid Sub-stationtransformer, or another point, until forming the root node. Note, thatdepending upon the structure of a given Service Area, managed by one ormore utility companies, there can be more than one tree data structurecreated, each with its own root node. The same method can be applied forany number of other tree data structures.

As noted earlier, structurally the network can appear as a mesh networkwith standby disconnected points to provide redundancy in the systemcreating alternate paths of energy in case of failure or maintenance insome parts of the energy transmission and distribution network.Electrically, the network is a tree network. When a certain segment ofthe grid network is switched in, while some other part is disconnected,it will likely form a slightly different electrical topology and hencetree structure. Any number of these electrically alternate topologiesare mapped in the tree data structures. One representation of theelectrical topology will be active at any given time. In a situationwhen a standby portion of the network needs to be switched in, then atthat time, the tree data structure corresponding to the electricaltopology after the standby portion is switched in, is made the activetree data structure. When such a change is affected the change isreflected in the active data tree structure, then the calculations ofenergy flows will be updated. More than one approach is possible toresolving such a situation. A couple approaches are presented:

-   -   1) A request to fetch, store and record the client energy        information (whether client is producing or consuming energy,        and the quantity of energy) from all the metering devices at all        the clients in a service area is made the moment that switch-in        of the standby portion of the network happens, or any other        scenario in which a switch is made in the active tree data        structure, then. The normal sampling times of the periodic time        window are not affected. Therefore, this typically results in an        extra sampling in between the two regular sampling periodic time        windows.    -   2) The client energy information collected for that periodic        time window is discarded for the periodic time window during        which such a change of active data structure happens. Instead,        the periodic time window just prior to the change of active data        structure is replicated for the periodic time window. This        method is more practical if the periodic time window is small,        for instance about 1 minute or less.

The focus is on a single tree data structure, and uniform periodic timewindows for energy flow reading devices (meters), with the samplingperiodic time windows for all energy flow reading devices beingsynchronized within the Service Area.

Energy flow meters or Smart Meters energy flow readings are sampledperiodically. It is preferred and practical to have the sampling timecoincide with the actual time. That is, in case of 5-minute samplinginterval, then every 5-minute interval must coincide with the actualtime at 0, 5, 10, 15 . . . 55 mins, etc. of the hour.

The energy flow data collected periodically can be stored locally on themetering device and collected at a less frequent interval such as once aday or 4 times a day by a computing device, or transmitted to a remoteserver or servers, or stored in the cloud.

At step 3420, client energy data is collected periodically, where theclient can be a producer or a consumer of energy. Such a samplingperiodic time window for collecting energy consumed or produced withinthe window is uniform across the entire topmost level domain (Level 0).That is, all the client nodes in all the domain levels below the rootnode have their energy consumption and production quantity readinginstances synchronized periodically. That is, the time windows aresynchronized for all nodes.

An example of a device that measures the amount of energy consumed by aclient is a Smart Meter. The Smart Meter can determine the direction ofthe flow of energy thereby determining whether the client is consumingor producing energy at any given instant. The Smart Meter can alsomeasure the amount of flow of energy by periodically sampling the amountof energy consumed or produced and storing that information within themeter and providing that information to an interface device uponrequest. Such a request to the Smart Meter, and the subsequentfurnishing of the information by the Smart Meter to the requestingdevice can take place over one or more modes of communication, such as,wireless, wired, optical, over power lines, etc. Such requestedinformation may then be stored on another device for further processingof that information. The Smart Meter is an example of an energymeasuring device, to measure a client's energy production or consumptionquantities or rates (amount consumed over sampled periodic timewindows). Any other device or devices that can provide similarinformation of client-side energy production and consumption data canalso be used. For instance, energy measurement is also possible by anenergy information aggregation device that collects periodic informationof energy consumed or produced, from each and every energy consuming orenergy producing device at the client's premises. For simplicity ofdiscussion, wherever a reference to an energy measuring device at theclient's premises is made, the term meter or Smart Meter will be used.

The Smart Meter can periodically measure, record, store locally, storeremotely to a device, store in the cloud, etc., the energy produced orconsumed by a client in a given periodic time window. Typically, theduration or each periodic time window is uniform. Each periodic timewindow need not be uniform, however, the precise start and stop of eachperiodic time window must be synchronized for all Smart Meters within aservice area.

The duration of the periodic time window is chosen such that it canprovide a meaningful and useful profile of energy flow for a givenclient. Optimization of energy produced or consumed is achieved by meansof adjusting the production or consumption of a given client's energyprofile based on the peer client's combined consumption or productionprofile. Note that for a given client's production or consumptionfunction, the peers of opposite function are used to determine theadjustment needed.

While the duration of the periodic time window during which the meteringdevice measures the direction and quantity of energy flow, could rangefrom a fraction of a second to days, weeks, months, or years, apractical duration of a periodic time window is chosen that is first,meaningful, and second, viable.

First consider the periodic time window of a day or longer. Within theday itself there is likely to be a change in the direction of energyflow, this could happen possibly more than once. Such information,obtained from a periodic time window of a day, does not providesufficient data to know during which hours the client's energyproduction complements the energy needs of its peers and during whichhours the client's energy needs are complemented by the energyproduction of its peers. Therefore, the duration of the periodic timewindow of a day or longer does not serve the intended purpose and isruled out.

On the other end of the spectrum, let's consider a periodic time windowof a fraction of a second. There are two key parameters to be monitoredregarding energy flow. One, is the direction of energy flow (client as aproducer or consumer) for a given client, and two, the quantity of thatenergy flow. As for the direction of energy flow, the change from beinga consumer to producer or vice-versa is not likely to happen too oftenin non-fault scenarios (fault scenarios could see frequent or rapidenergy direction changes). In normal operation, such change of directionof energy flow is likely to be observed a few times in a day, that is ina 24-hour duration. Therefore, from the change of direction of energyflow consideration, a fraction of a second as the periodic time windowis unnecessary. Considering the change of rate of energy consumed or thechange of rate of energy produced, such changes may happen more often ina 24-hour duration. The rate of energy consumed or produced may change afew times within an hour. Therefore, a preferred periodic time window of5 minutes or 15 minutes is reasonable.

Considering a 5-minute periodic time window to measure the amount ofenergy consumed or generated by a client, there would be 12 measurementsamples every hour, or 288 samples per 24 hours. With a 15-minuteperiodic time window, there would be 4 samples every hour, or 48 samplesper 24 hours. A periodic time window of 5 minutes will be used for thesake of explanation, unless for ease of illustration, a different timewindow is used. The duration of the periodic time window does not affectthe idea in the disclosure. The periodic time window is mainly decidedby the usefulness of the periodic time window at both ends of the timeduration spectrum, and the speed of computations and data exchangeachievable, within reasonable economic costs. That means, the more thecomputational and data exchange capabilities are available withinreasonable economic cost, the shorter the periodic time window that canbe used. The shorter the periodic time window, the larger the amount ofdata generated.

Using the data generated for a given client about its energy consumed orproduced during the periodic time window (assuming 5-minute periodictime window as mentioned above) for a 24-hour period, the daily profileof energy consumed and produced from a client is generated. Note thatthe profile generated is for a 24-hour period. The period could beshorter or longer than 24-hours, potentially the period could be a weeklong. A pattern of the client energy profile when viewed over extendedperiods of time, typically has a periodicity of 24 hours, and a broaderperiodicity spanning a week, especially due to some difference in usageof energy between weekdays and weekends, or the difference in usage ofenergy between human working days and non-working days every week.

The energy flow data that is stored for each of the clients RC_(i),where i varies from 1 to 11, representing each of the lowest level leafclients, is collected for a given periodic time window. Similarly,energy flow values are obtained and used in calculations for other endleaf nodes as well such as, SOLAR ARRAY 2 405, BATTERY STORAGE 2 420, IC1 505, SOLAR ARRAY 3 520. Energy flow values may also be obtained fromclients connected to the GSS 205 such as BATTERY STORAGE 1 230, HIC 1240, SOLAR ARRAY 1 220 and POWER PLANT 210, however, their values arenot considered in this description since they are all considered to beoperated by the GME (Grid Management Entity). However, ifcomponentization of energy is needed from these sources, then theirvalues can be considered as well.

To simplify the illustration, the end leaf node clients RC1 through RC11will be referenced, even though other end leaf nodes described above arenot referred unless otherwise noted, they should be involved in thecalculations of energy flows at their appropriate domain levels. As anexample, in FIG. 30, the energy information 3030 for a given periodictime window for each of the RCi clients are listed. The net energy forthe lowest level domains, DomDTA 610, DomDTB 620, DomDTC 630, DomDTD810, and DomDTF 820 is computed. For simplicity, the domain containingSSSC 270 is not included as shown in FIGS. 30-32.

At step 3430, the net energy at the lowest level for each domain iscomputed as follows:

-   For the periodic time window, compute C_(dT), the total energy    consumed for a given domain and also P_(dT), the total energy    produced in the domain.-   C_(dT)=ΣC_(di), where C_(di) is each client that is a consumer of    energy during the periodic time window.-   P_(dT)=ΣP_(di), where P_(di) is each client that is a producer of    energy during the periodic time window.

At step 3440, for each lowest level domain compute net energy producedor consumed by that domain. As an example, consider the domain DomDTA610 encompassing the node DTA 305 and its children RC1 365, RC2 370, andRC3 375. RC1 365 is a producer of energy in the periodic time window,while RC2 370 and RC3 375 are consumers of energy during the sameperiodic time window. Therefore, P_(d1)=150 units, C_(d2)=75 units andC_(d3)=100 units.

C _(dT) =C _(d2) +C _(d3)=75+100=175

P_(dT)=P_(d1)=150

If C_(dT)>P_(dT), then the domain is a net energy consumer consuming

C _(dN) =C _(dT) −P _(dT)

If P_(dT)>C_(dT), then the domain is a net energy producer consuming

P _(dN) =P _(dT) −C _(dT)

In this example, C_(dT) is greater than P_(dT). Therefore, this domainencompassing node DTA 305 and its children, is a net energy consumer forthe periodic time window. The net energy consumed is

C _(dN)=175−150=25 units (906)

In case P_(dT) is equal to C_(dT), then no energy is consumed orproduced in the periodic time window by this domain.

This process of computing the net energy consumed or produced in theperiodic time window is carried out for all the lowest level domainsencompassing all the end leaf node clients.

At step 3450, compute the net energy produced or consumed by the nexthigher-level domain based on the child node's values P_(dN) and C_(dN).At step 3460, repeat the process for the next higher-level domains untilthe root level node is reached. After finding the values of energyconsumption or production for each of the lower level domains thatencompass the lowest parent nodes DTA 305, DTB 310, DTC 315, DTD 425 andDTF 440, then the next higher domain's energy consumption or productionis calculated. At this level the domains encompass the parent nodes SSSA260 and SSSB 265. Moving further up, the energy consumption orproduction for the node encompassing PSS 255 is calculated.

Energy production or consumption for devices connected to the GSS 205are not involved in the computations described in FIG. 34. The devicesdirectly connected to the GSS 205 are POWER PLANT 210, SOLAR ARRAY 1220,BATTERY STORAGE 1 230 and HIC 1 240. Aside from HIC 1 240, the otherdevices may be managed by utility entities and as demarcated by theLevel 1 domain are outside of the energy componentization. That is, whenenergy is produced by the PSS 255, it may not matter the amount of thatenergy that goes to BATTERY STORAGE 1 230 and how much goes to HIC 1240. Similarly, when energy is consumed by the PSS 255, it may notmatter how much energy is coming from the POWER PLANT 210, or from SOLARARRAY 1 220, or from BATTERY STORAGE 1 230, or from HIC 1 240, in casethe heavy industry client also has power producing capabilities, via itsown power plant, solar or stored energy. Also, HIC 1 240 is depicted asa single heavy industry client and its energy flow remains one-to-onebetween itself and the utility entity. No further componentization isneeded. However, in instances where further componentization of energyflows is needed at levels up to the GSS 205, then the same method asdescribed above can be applied.

Componentization of the Energy Flow

The componentization of the energy that flows from an energy producer tothe farthest consumer and the splitting of that energy flow to otherconsumers along the way, while at the same time the flow merging withenergy flows from other energy producers, is best illustrated with a fewexamples.

FIG. 35 shows the path of the energy flow in a linear fashion. The sameenergy flows are used as are shown in FIG. 31. The energy flow fromclient RC7 460 of 150 units of energy for a periodic time window.Traversing the path of energy flow up to the highest domain possible, apath of flow exists from RC7 460 to GSS 205. 150 units of energy flowsfrom RC7 460 to DTD 425. DTD 425 is also connected to RC8 465 which isconsuming energy and RC9 470 which is producing energy. The net energyat DTD 425 is an excess of energy in the amount of 80 units. That meansthat DTD 425 is an energy producer. The parent of DTD 425 is SSSB 265.At SSSB 265, energy is also received from SOLAR ARRAY 2 405, 130 unitsin the periodic time window. DTF 440 which is the other child node ofSSSB 265, receives 30 units of energy in the periodic time window, viaSSSB 265. There is a net excess energy of 180 units at SSSB 265, in theperiodic time window. 30 units is consumed by SSSA 260 the other childof the PSS 255. The excess energy at the parent GSS 205 is 150 units.This path is also indicated as:

RC7->DTD->SSSB->PSS->GSS

The proportion of energy produced by a client (for instance RC7 460here) and used by a consumer or consumed by the upper domain levels, isbased on the ratio of the total incoming energy at the node to that ofthe energy injected by the client at that node. The total incomingenergy at node DTD 425 is 150 units from RC7 460 and 100 units from RC9470, which adds up to 250 units. Therefore, the proportion of RC7's 460energy when distributed out to RC8 465 and SSSB 265, will be 150/250, or3/5. This ratio is denoted as r1 3510. Similarly, ratios r2 3520, r33530 and r4 3540 are determined. Note that the values of r3 3530 and r43540 in this example are 1. Since, the amount of flow from the directionof RC7 460 into the PSS 255 is 180 units, and that happens to be theonly energy coming into the PSS 255, the ratio of energy from the lowerlevel domain to the total energy coming into PSS 255 is 180/180=1.Similarly, for r4 3540, the ratio is 150/150=1.

Energy produced by RC7 460 (150 units) is consumed by RC8 465, byclients via DTF 440, by clients via SSSA 260 and by clients via GSS 205.

FIG. 36 shows the calculations for the ratios that are used to determinethe partial amount of energy produced at a node, here energy produced atRC7 460 is shown for illustration. The following equations (with valuesnoted as J, K, L and M) show the partial amounts of energy produced byRC7 460 that are consumed or transitioning through various nodes—

At RC8: r1·170=3/5·170=102->J

At DTF: r1·r2·30=3/5·8/21·30=6.86->K

At SSSA: r1·r2·r3·30=3/5·8/21·1·30=6.86->L

At GSS: r1·r2·r3·r4·30=3/5·8/21·1·1·150=34.28->M

To clarify further—

-   At RC8: 102 units consumed by RC8 (within the same domain DomDTD as    producer RC7)-   At DTF: 6.86 units consumed by end node clients in DomDTF-   At SSSA: 6.86 units consumed by end node clients in DomSSSA-   At GSS: 34.28 units consumed by HIC 1 and/or utility entity device    BATTERY STORAGE 1

This shows that the part of the energy (102 units) produced by RC7 460is consumed by a peer client RC8 465 within its domain DomDTD 810. Somepart of the energy (6.86) is consumed by clients in the peer domainDomDTF 820. Further, some part of the energy (6.86) is consumed byclients in the higher-level peer domain DomSSSA 710. Finally, theremainder of the energy (34.28) transitions through GSS 205 where it maybe consumed in whole or in part by HIC 1 240, and in whole or in part byBATTERY STORAGE 1 230. Energy transitioning through GSS 205 may alsomean that some part of the energy produced by RC7 460 has been utilizedby the utility entity or entities.

Note that a portion of the energy was consumed by RC8 465, then thatportion is within the same domain DomDTD 810, which is at the lowestlevel. The energy did not have to travel a larger distance. Distancemeaning impedance, where the greater physical distance can also lend toincreased impedance. The portion of energy consumed by clients in theDomDTF 820, must transition up through the lower level domain DomDTD 810to DomDTF 820. Similarly, the portion of energy consumed by clients inDomSSSA 710, must transition up further through DomSSSB 910. Lastly, inthis example, the portion of energy consumed by clients through GSS 205,must transition further up through DomPSS 1110.

The more layers of domains the energy is pushed through, the higher theimpedance which is the losses, inefficiencies and wear and tear on theinfrastructure. The most efficient use of the generated energy is whenalmost all of it is consumed locally within the same domain. Bysplitting the energy produced by RC7 460 in this example, the variousflows or splits of energy are assigned a cost for transferring theenergy through zero or more domain layers.

Note that domains can be structured by grouping any set of end nodeclients with the distribution transformers and also going further up thetree. Also, the end node clients can be a domain within themselves.Every transition up the domain levels can be assigned a weight ordistance bias to reflect the impedance along those connections. Forexample, client RC7 460 may have longer transmission wires whenconnecting to DTD 425, and hence RC7 460 may have its own domain. So,when the energy crosses that domain, there will be a slightly highercost for that energy transition, and therefore a higher weight could beassigned to that domain crossing. The method described in thisdisclosure to break the energy flows and assign cost based on impedanceis flexible to mapping domains as described above. A more detailedexplanation follows where the derivation of “SellingPrice” and“BuyingPrice” is explained.

Note that while theoretically, the ratio of the energy flows when morethan one energy source or producer is present at a node, is as describedabove, the practical measurable, or not so easily measurable, parametersof impedance of interconnects, temperature effects, etc. can affect theratios to some degree. All in all, the energy flows can be viewed as theenergy getting pooled in at the node and flowing out to the consumers.The ratio method described above represents a fair spread of allocationof the quantities of energies for all practical purposes and is thebasis for the calculation of quantities of energy flows in assigning theprice of energy, either as a cost to the consumer or selling price forthe producer. Based on actual node or client distances, or otherfactors, appropriate domains can be created around certain nodes toimply domain crossing costs associated with a certain node or nodes.

The above method can also be applied to determine the quantities ofenergy components when energy flows between two end leaf nodes, whereone end leaf node is a producer and the other end leaf node is aconsumer, together with other producers and consumers being connectedalong the path.

FIG. 37 shows a new variation in the energy flow where the energyproduced by RC7 460 flows to RC3 375. The same method as described abovefor determining the components or fractions of the energy produced by anend leaf node client consumed by various clients or domains, can be usedfor determining the components or fractions of energy, consumed by anend leaf node client that are, produced by various clients or domains.

FIG. 38 shows the calculations to determine the components of energyproduced at RC7 460 that are consumed by various nodes as the energytravels from RC7 460 to RC3 375 where the final component of the energygenerated is consumed.

FIG. 39 shows the high-level flow chart steps for determining thecomponent or fraction of energy produced by RC_(i) that is consumed ateach domain level as the energy propagates till the topmost node, if notentirely consumed prior to reaching the topmost node or root. Note, thatadding all the fractional components of the energy produced will resultin the original value of energy produced during that periodic timewindow.

At step 3910, for each leaf node RC_(i) in the lowest level domains, ifthere is net energy production by the containing domain then, computeEnergy Production Ratio EPR_(i)=(P_(di))/(P_(dT)) for each leaf nodeRC_(i) in those lowest level domains. At step 3920, repeat process forthe next higher-level domains in finding their Energy Production Ratiofor each of its energy producing child nodes. At step 3930, repeat untilthe root level node is reached. At step 3940, compute fraction of energyproduced by RCi that is consumed in its lowest level domain bymultiplying the Energy Production Ratio for that leaf node RCi for thatdomain (lowest level domain) and the total energy consumed in thatdomain: FPdi=EPRi×CdT. At step 3950, compute the fraction of energyproduced by RCi that is consumed by the next level domain by cascadedmultiplication of Energy Production Ratios of the current domain and itschild domains along the path from the leaf node RCi, and multiplyingthat by the total energy consumed in that domain: FPdN=EPR1×EPR2× . . .×EPRN×CdT. At step 3960, repeat until the topmost domain is reached.

FIG. 40 shows another example of energy production and consumptionwithin different level domains. This example shows an energy consumerclient RC3 375 where 100 units of energy is consumed in a given timewindow. Components or fractions of energy that RC3 375 consumes fromdifferent producers starting from its own local domain DomDTA 610, thenfrom the next level up from domain DomSSSA 710, from domain DomPSS 1110and finally from the topmost node GSS 205.

This path is also indicated as—

RC3<-DTA<-SSSA<-PSS<-GSS

Note the ratios at each domain level q1 4010, q2 4020, q3 4030, and q44040 are determined. Here, the fraction or the proportion of energyconsumed by the client node RC3 375 to that consumed at the domain levelis computed. Client level energy consumed is 100 units. Total energyconsumed at that domain level DomDTA 610 is 170 (100+70). Therefore, theratio of energy consumed by RC3 375 is 10/17. Similarly, ratios athigher level domains are computed for all energy at that domain levelmoving towards RC3 375.

FIG. 41 shows the computations for the component breakdown of energysource from each domain. Those resulting calculations all add up to 100the total energy consumed by RC3 375.

Energy consumed by RC3 375 (100 units) is produced by RC1 365, byclients via DTB 310, by clients via SSSB 265 and by clients via GSS 205.

The following equations (with values noted as P, Q, R and S) show thepartial amounts of energy consumed by RC3 375 that are produced ortransitioning through various nodes—

At RC1: q1·90=10/17·90=52.94->P

At DTB: q1·q2·30=10/17·8/15·50=15.69->Q

At SSSB: q1·q2·q3·30=10/17·8/15·1.75=23.53->R

At GSS: q1·q2·q3·q4·30=10/17·8/15·1·1·25=7.84->S

To clarify further—

-   At RC1: 52.94 units are produced by RC1 (within same domain DomDTA    as consumer RC3)-   At DTB: 15.69 units produced by end node clients in DomDTB-   At SSSB: 23.53 units produced by end node clients in DomSSSB-   At GSS: 7.84 units produced by POWER PLANT and/or SOLAR ARRAY 1    and/or BATTERY STORAGE 1

This shows that the part of the energy (52.94 units) consumed by RC3 375is produced by a peer client RC1 365 within its domain DomDTA 610. Somepart of the energy (15.69) is produced by clients in the peer domainDomDTB 620. Further, some part of the energy (23.53) is produced byclients in the higher-level peer domain DomSSSB 265. Finally, theremainder of the energy (7.84) transitions through GSS 205 where it maybe produced in whole or in part by POWER PLANT 210 and/or SOLAR ARRAY 1220 and/or BATTERY STORAGE 1 230. Energy transitioning through GSS 205may also mean that some part of the energy consumed by RC3 375 has beenproduced by the utility entity or entities.

FIG. 42 shows the high-level flow chart steps for determining thecomponent or fraction of energy consumed by RC_(i) that is produced ateach domain level all the way up to the topmost node or root, or if notentirely produced prior to reaching the topmost node or root. Note, thatadding all the fractional components of the said energy consumed fromdifferent domains will result in the original value of energy consumedby RC_(i) during that time window.

At step 4010, for each leaf node RC_(i) in the lowest level domains, ifthere is net energy consumption by the containing domain then, computeEnergy Consumption Ratio ECR_(i)=(C_(di))/(C_(dT)) for each leaf nodeRC_(i) in those lowest level domains. At step 4020, repeat the processfor the next higher-level domains in finding their Energy ConsumptionRatio for each of its energy consuming child nodes, until the root levelnode is reached. At step 4030, compute the fraction of energy consumedby RC_(i) that is produced in its lowest level domain by multiplying theEnergy Consumption Ratio for that leaf node RCi for that domain (lowestlevel domain) and the total energy produced in that domain:FC_(di)=ECR_(i)×P_(dT). At step 4040, compute the fraction of energyconsumed by RC_(i) that is produced by the next level domain by cascadedmultiplication of Energy Consumption Ratios of the current domain andits child domains along the path from the leaf node RC_(i), andmultiplying that by the total energy produced in that domain:FC_(dN)=ECR₁×ECR₂× . . . ×ECR_(N)×P_(dT). At step 4050, repeat until thetopmost domain is reached.

FIG. 43 shows a portion of the grid topology with new energy flowvalues. In FIG. 43, the client node RC7 460 is a producer node in theperiodic time window. The domain DomDTD 810 is a consumer domain for theperiodic time window. DomDTD 810 receives energy of 30 units from theparent node SSSB 265. From the point of view of RC7 460, all the energythat it produces gets consumed entirely within the domain Dom DTD 810.

FIG. 44 shows a portion of the grid topology with new energy flowvalues. In FIG. 44, the client node RC3 375, is a consumer node in thegiven periodic time window. The domain Dom DTA 610 is a producer domainfor the periodic time window. DomDTA 610 provides energy of 60 units tothe parent node SSSA 260. For client node RC3 375, all the energy thatit consumes is produced entirely within the domain Dom DTA 610.

Consider the values J, K, L, M from the equations referred earlierpertaining to the view from RC7 460 as producer.

Energy produced by RC7 460 in the time window=P_(TW)=J+K+L+M=150 units.

Note that the J portion of energy gets consumed in the local domain ofRC7 460, DomDTD 810.

Portion K gets consumed in the next higher-level domain DomSSSB 910.

Portion L gets consumed in still the next higher-level domain DomPSS1110.

And Portion M gets consumed by the utility entity or entities.

The energy flow experiences the least impedance and wear and tear of theinfrastructure when the energy produced is consumed after traveling theshortest distance. The shortest distance would be within the samedomain, while there would be most wear and tear on the infrastructurewhen energy travels the farthest distance, that is to the root node, ortopmost node which is typically at the utility level.

The preferred selling price for selling the energy produced by RC7 460in this example is as follows—

SellingPrice=S ₃ ·J+S ₂ ·K+S ₁ ·L+S ₀ ·M

where S₀, S₁, S₂, and S₃ are the per unit rates for those components ofenergy consumed at the topmost domain level 0 being S₀, the rate forenergy consumed at the next lower level 1 being S₁, and so forth. Theper unit rates should be structured as S₃>S₂>S₁>S₀, for effectiveincentivization in the adjustment of an energy production profile. Theportion of energy that gets consumed by the closest distance or leastimpedance client fetches the highest price for the producer. Therefore,as much energy produced by the producer client in the given periodictime window can be entirely consumed by clients within the same domainas the producer client, then the higher the revenue the client can getfor that time window. Note that any portion of the energy from oneproducer end leaf node traversing up the domain hierarchy and then downto another consumer leaf node through other peer domains, does have alarger distance to traverse (or experiences more impedance) and hencecosts more. It is possible to set the higher domain traversing relatedrates, for instance S₀ or S₁ such that they account for the traversal ofenergy in the downward journey from the higher domains. Alternatively,as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, it can be possible to figure out the priceof the portions of energy from both, the producer perspective todetermine the SellingPrice and from the consumer perspective todetermine the BuyingPrice, as the portions of energy traverse from oneproducer end leaf node to another consumer end leaf node in anotherdomain, by applying the method just described above.

Similarly, consider the values P, Q, R, S from the above equationspertaining to RC3 375 as a consumer.

Energy consumed by RC3 375 in the time window=C_(TW)=P+Q+R+S=100 units.

Note that P portion of energy is produced in the local domain of RC3375, Dom DTA 610.

Portion Q is from the next higher-level domain DomSSSA 710.

Portion R is from still the next higher-level domain DomPSS 1110.

And Portion S is provided by the utility entity or entities.

There is least impedance and wear and tear of the infrastructure whenthe energy consumed, is produced by sources having the closest distancewhich would be within the same domain, on the other hand there would bethe most wear and tear on the infrastructure when the energy travels thefarthest distance, that is from the root node, or from the topmost nodewhich is typically at the utility level. This is depicted by the examplein FIG. 44, which are also referenced in the preceding paragraphs above.

The preferred buying price for buying the energy consumed by RC3 375 inthis example can be as follows—

BuyingPrice=B ₃ ·P+B ₂ ·Q+B ₁ ·R+B ₀ ·S

where B₀, B₁, B₂, and B₃ are the per unit rates for those components ofenergy produced at the topmost domain Level 0 being B₀, the rate forenergy produced at the next lower level 1 being B₁, and so forth. Theper unit rates should be structured as B₃<B₂<B₁<B₀, for effectiveincentivization in the adjustment of an energy production profile. Theportion of energy that is produced by the closest distance or leastimpedance client is the least expensive for the consumer. Therefore, asmuch energy consumed by the consumer client in the given periodic timewindow that can be entirely produced by clients within the same domainas the consumer client, then the cost to that consumer client will bethe lowest in that time window.

Energy Profiles and Optimization Feedback

Let the energy producing clients A, B, C, and energy consuming clientsJ, K, L, belong to the same local domain U. Note that the terms J, K,and L are reused here, and represent clients, and not the equationsreferred to earlier.

FIG. 45 shows a sample energy production profile for client A. FIG. 46shows a sample energy production profile for client B. FIG. 47 shows asample energy production profile for client C. Ten periodic time windowsare shown in each graph marked 1 through 10. The energy produced in eachperiodic time window for each client are plotted on the x-axis of thebar graph and the value of energy produced is plotted on the y-axis andis also noted at the top of each bar. While, using a 5 minute periodictime window will generally be used in practice, these graphs show aperiodic time window of 1 hour for ease of illustration.

FIG. 48 shows the aggregation of the values of energy produced byclients A, B, and C for the periodic time windows.

FIG. 49 shows the aggregation values of energy produced by clients A, Band C as in shown in FIG. 48, together with energy consumption values ofclient J for the same periodic time windows. The energy consumptionvalues for client J are shown with darker energy profile bars. Client Jcan see their own consumption profile and also the aggregate profile ofthe energy producers mapped in the same periodic time windows. Theobjective is to incentivize client J to modify or adjust client theirenergy consumption profile so that it follows closely with the energyproduction profile in the domain. Client J is incentivized by lowerenergy costs resulting from more efficient use of the generated energy.

While FIG. 49 shows consumer client J's energy profile together with theenergy producing client profiles (clients A, B and C). The same type ofconsumer energy profile is also generated for the other consumer clientsK and L. The method will be described for client J, but also applies inthis example to clients K and L.

Client J's energy profile is modified or adjusted to increase ordecrease energy use during certain periodic time windows. Thesemodifications or adjustments to the amount of energy used by client Jare made on a per periodic time window or time-slot basis.

Let the following be the client's energy consumption and production forclients A, B, C, J, K and L, in a periodic time window, all of whichbelong to the lowest level domain U—

-   Energy produced by client A—EP_(A)-   Energy produced by client B—EP_(B)-   Energy produced by client C—EP_(C)-   Energy consumed by client J—EC_(J)-   Energy consumed by client K—EC_(K)-   Energy consumed by client L—EC_(L)-   Total energy produced in the domain U—

P _(dT) =EP _(A) +EP _(B) +EP _(C)

-   Total energy consumed in the domain U—

C _(dT) =EC _(J) +EC _(K) +EC _(L)

The ratio of energy consumed by client J, to the total energy consumedin the domain is determined—

RC _(J) =EC _(J) /C _(dT)

In order to close the gap of energy consumption and energy productionwithin the same domain U, client J′s energy consumption needs to beadjusted for each periodic time window. Client J cannot adjust toaccommodate the full gap in the domain, instead, client J can adjust toits proportional consumption in the periodic time window. This is wherethe ratio for client J, RC_(J) is used. Each consumer client is expectedto adjust their consumption for the periodic time windows to bridge thegap for consumption of the total energy produced in the domain. Theamount of adjustment needed for client J, for a given periodic timewindow is determined by the method described below:

The difference between the total energy produced and the total energyconsumed in the domain by the clients is calculated (this does not countany energy movement through the link to parent of the domain).

DPE _(U) =P _(dT) −C _(dT)

Amount of change to be made by client J for the periodic time window iscalculated as follows—

dEC _(J) =RC _(J) ·DPE _(U)

Similarly, the change to be made by clients K and L for the periodictime window is calculated as follows—

dEC _(K) =RC _(K) ·DPE _(U), and

dEC _(L) =RC _(L) ·DPE _(U)

In practice, the preferred change to be made must be slightly less thandEC_(J), dEC_(K), and dEC_(L).

That is,

dEC _(J) =df·RC _(J) ·DPE _(U)

dEC _(K) =df·RC _(K) ·DPE _(U), and

dEC _(L) =df·RC _(L) ·DPE _(U)

where df is the damping factor having a value between 0 and 1. Preferredvalue can be about 0.8. Note, that the damping factor will have theeffect of not fully bridging the gap, but leaving a slight amount ofgap.

Both consumer clients and producer clients will be motivated to bridgethe gap between production and consumption within a periodic timewindow. To bridge the gap, energy producing clients may adjust theirenergy output up or down based on whether there is a shortage or anexcess of energy within the domain. Energy consuming clients may adjusttheir energy use up or down based on whether there is an excess or ashortage of energy within the domain. Since, the consumer clients andthe producer clients will be adjusting in opposite directions this willresult in new energy consumption and production profiles that may causethe consumers and producers to overshoot their targets since bothprofiles are moving targets. The process of balancing production andconsumption could repeat endlessly in an oscillating fashion.

Thus, the introduction of the damping factor ensures that there won't besignificant overshoot, and that with subsequent cycles of adjustment,the overshoot would keep getting minimized until it reaches anequilibrium. The damping factor value can be evaluated continuouslybased on the amount of recent changes in the predetermined cycle, be itdaily, weekly, etc., of energy consumption or production in a givenperiodic time window in that cycle, where the damping factor is assigneda value closer to 1 when such changes, between the correspondingperiodic time windows in the cycles are the least. If one of theprofiles, that is the total of energy production profiles or the totalof energy consumption profiles, cannot be adjusted, that means no changefor the periodic time window in the cycle, then that time window in theprofile will not be a moving target. If an energy profile cannot beadjusted then the other profile time windows where the energy producedor consumed that can be adjusted could will have a damping factor (dfvalue) of 1 that would attempt to bridge the complete gap in oneadjustment.

FIG. 50 shows the aggregation values of energy produced by clients A, Band C, the energy consumption values of client J and the target valuesto be reached by consumer client J. The target values to be reached byconsumer client J are computed as described above. The aggregationvalues of energy produced by clients A, B, C are the left bars in eachperiodic time window. The energy consumption values of client J are thecenter bars in each periodic time window. The target values to bereached by consumer client J are the right bars in each periodic timewindow.

FIG. 51 shows a sample energy consumption profile for client J. FIG. 52shows a sample energy consumption profile for client K. FIG. 53 shows asample energy Consumption profile for client L. FIG. 54 shows the totalenergy consumed by clients J, K, and L. FIG. 55 shows the total energyconsumed by clients J, K, and L in the left bars and the energy producedby client A in the same periodic time windows in the right bars. FIG. 56shows the aggregation values of energy consumed by clients J, K, and, Lthe energy production values of client A and the target values to bereached by producer client A. The target values to be reached byproducer client A are computed as described below. The aggregationvalues of energy consumed by clients J, K, and, L are the left bars ineach periodic time window. The energy production values of client A arethe center bars in each periodic time window. The target values to bereached by producer client A are the right bars in each periodic timewindow.

In FIGS. 51-56, ten periodic time windows are shown in each graph marked1 through 10. The energy consumed in each periodic time window isplotted on the x-axis of the bar graph and the value of energy consumedis plotted on the y-axis and is also noted at the top of each bar.

Consider, similar calculations for one of the energy-producing clients Awhen attempting to adjust its profile to match closely to the energyconsumption profile of the domain it is in. The related Figures areshown in FIGS. 51-56.

The ratio of energy produced by client A, to the total energy producedin the domain is determined—

RP _(A) =EP _(A) /P _(dT)

In order to close the gap of energy production and energy consumptionwithin the domain U, client A's energy production needs to be adjustedfor each periodic time window. Client A, cannot adjust to the full gapin the domain, instead, client A can adjust to its proportionalproduction in the time window. That is where the ratio for client A,RC_(A) is used. As explained above, here each producer client isexpected to adjust their production for the time windows to bridge thegap by producing energy to match the total energy consumed in thedomain. The amount of adjustment needed for client A, for a givenperiodic time window is determined by the method described below:

The difference between the total energy produced and the total energyconsumed in the domain by the clients is calculated (this does not countany energy movement through the link to the parent of the domain).

DCE _(U) =C _(dT) −P _(dT)->this is the same as above.

Amount of change to be made by client A for the periodic time window iscalculated as follows—

dEP _(A) =RP _(A) ·DCE _(U)

Similarly, the change to be made by clients B and C for the periodictime window is—

dEP _(B) =RP _(B) ·DCE _(U), and

dEP _(C) =RP _(C) ·DCE _(U)

The damping factor, df, is used which produces the following equations—

dEP _(A) =df·RP _(A) ·DCE _(U)

dEP _(B) =df·RP _(B) ·DCE _(U), and

dEP _(C) =df·RP _(C) ·DCE _(U)

The method explained above, is also applied to the higher-level domainsuntil the topmost domain is reached. First energy profiles of thedomains are created by propagating the energy values from the end leafnodes up, just as shown in the topology in FIG. 30. Also, the sum of allthe profiles of the lower level energy domains is created. Next, theamount of energy that needs to be adjusted to optimize energy use withinthe domain is calculated. The amount of energy that needs to be adjustedto optimize energy at the next higher domain is calculated by treatingeach lowest level domain as energy clients.

For domain level energy profile creation, we refer to the topology inFIG. 31. Energy profiles are created for domains DomDTA 610, DomDTB 620and DomDTC 630. Then, an energy profile is created for the aggregate ofthe domains (similar to the aggregate profiles in FIGS. 48 and 54).Then, the appropriate ratios are determined as described above, forconsumer and producer domains for the given periodic time window. Fromthe end client node, such as RC1-RC6, the feedback value at the nextlevel domain, is the cascaded multiplication of the ratios of the newlycalculated ratio, with the ratio calculated at the lowest level for theend client as shown in FIGS. 36 and 41 for clients. This new ratio isthen multiplied by the energy value at the domain level. Similarly, thedamping factor df is also applied to avoid oscillation of the adjustedvalues. This process is repeated until the topmost domain is reached,and the ratios are multiplied in a cascaded fashion.

FIG. 57 shows the method for creating energy profiles. At step 5710,collect data regarding client energy production and consumption duringperiodic time windows. At step 5720, for each client, RC_(i), plot agraph or graphs along the y-axis indicating energy consumed or energygenerated, versus contiguous multiple periodic time intervals along thex-axis. If RC_(i) produces energy in the interval, then that value istermed as RCP_(i). If RC_(i) consumes energy, then that value is termedas RCC_(i). See FIGS. 45, 46, 47, 51, 52 and 53. At step 5730, startingat the lowest domain, plot graphs of the total of all energy consumersand all energy producers in each domain. This corresponds to P_(dT) andC_(dT) as computed above. Plot energy produced by RCP_(i) valuestogether with C_(dT), and RCC_(i) values together with P_(dT). Thisgives the correlation of energy produced/consumed by clients RC_(i) inthe domain with energy consumed/produced by other clients in the domain.Providing a mapped measure of energy creation and usage in the domain,and energy consumption and its source within that domain. See FIGS. 49and 55.

FIG. 58 shows the method for creating optimum feedback profiles fortarget energy consumption. At step 5810, for each client RC_(i) in thedomain, first determine if the client is a consumer or a producer. Atstep 5820, if the client is a consumer of energy in the time window,then compute the ratio—RRCi=RCCi/CdT, where CdT is sum of consumers inthat domain. At step 5830, if the client RCi is a producer of energy inthe time window, then compute the ratio—RRPi=RCPi/PdT, where PdT is sumof producers in that domain. At step 5840, if the client is a consumercompute the difference or gap between total energy produced in thedomain and total energy consumed in the domain—DP=PdT−CdT. If the clientis a producer, compute the difference or gap between total energyconsumed in the domain and total energy produced in thedomain—DC=CdT−PdT. At step 5850 determine the damping factor, df. Atstep 5860, if the client is a consumer, the amount of change to be madeby client RCi is—dRCi=DP·RRCi·df, where df is the damping factor. If theclient is a producer, the amount of change to be made by client RCiis—dRPi=DC·RRPi·df, where df is the damping factor. See FIGS. 50 and 56.

At step 5870, the above process is repeated for the next higher leveldomains, by treating the lower child nodes as consumers or producers ofenergy and applying the same method as above. The ratio is calculatedbetween one child node acting as producer or consumer, and the sum ofenergies of all other producers or consumers, respectively. This ratiois the multiplied by the ratio from the child node. This multipliedratio is then used just as in the previous step. At step 5880, the valuefor adjusting the energy production or consumption is obtained byrepeating the steps for the next higher level domains until the toplevel domain is reached, and the ratios are multiplied in a cascadedfashion to obtain the value for adjusting the energy production orconsumption in the given time window.

Presentation to the End Node Clients the Profiles and Energy AdjustmentFeedback Values

For each end node client, its own energy profile together with theenergy profiles of its domain, and all the domains higher up arepresented. The suggested adjustment that needs to be made to optimizeenergy use is presented based on the method of calculations describedabove. The adjustments for the periodic time windows are presented forall domains for the end node client. The presentation can be in adisplay of graphical views, or numerical values or a combination ofboth.

The energy adjustment feedback values derived and presented to the endnode clients may also be integrated into an end node controller devicesitting behind the meter that can control the devices behind the meter.The controller device that sits behind the meter uses the feedbackvalues to control the devices to achieve optimized use of energy withinthe domain. There may also be devices behind the meter that areintelligent that can corroborate with other devices behind the meter andcoordinate energy usage or production without the need of a controllerdevice behind the meter, to achieve optimized energy use.

Flexibility in Limiting the Domain Levels

The embodiment described here illustrates all possible domain levelswith their hierarchy. However, in certain implementations, utilityentities together with end node clients may decide to limit the domainhierarchy to fewer levels.

The least number of levels possible, would be one level, where theDistribution transformer and its attached end node clients would formthe lowest level domain and no further domains are formed in the datastructure. The one domain level need not be at the lowest Distributiontransformer level. It could be one level higher at the SecondarySubstation transformer level, where the clients connected to differentDistribution transformers could be treated as being in the same localdomain as the secondary substation transformer(s).

The same logic applies to breaking down the energy flows to constituentcomponents of the flow and applying the pricing structure. In asituation with only one level of domain hierarchy, the pricing structurewould appear binary. That means, from the end point of view of the nodeproducer client, during a periodic time window, all energy consumed inthe local domain would fetch the highest price, and any energy not usedin the domain and pushed out would be treated as part of the grid andfetch a lower price.

Similarly, from the end node consumer client point of view during agiven time window, all energy obtained from the local domain would costless and any energy obtained from outside the domain would be treated assourced from the grid and cost more.

Likewise, if two or more domain levels were to be used that were lessthan the all the possible domain levels, then they could each be at anylevel in the possibility of all the domain levels, and they also neednot be contiguous. That means the two or more domain levels may beseparated by any number of intermediate domain levels in the electricaltopology.

Duration of Periodic Time Windows

Any reasonable duration of a periodic time window can be used withoutadversely impacting the implementation of the embodiment. If theduration of the periodic time windows is too small or too large thenthat may have negative impacts on the feedback values as has beenexplained above.

A 5-minute periodic time window has been used for the sake ofexplanation and as one possible embodiment. Any other reasonable valuefor the periodic time window such as 1, 10, 15, 30, 60, etc. minutes mayalso be used.

To illustrate a point regarding the periodic time windows for energypricing and for creating energy profiles, let us consider the durationof the time window to be 5-minutes, where, every 5 minutes, all themetering devices at all the end node clients collect energy informationduring the periodic time window simultaneously. From a pricing point ofview the 5-minute time window may be sufficient. Resulting in 288 timewindows in a 24 hour period.

From the energy profile creation and energy production or consumptionadjustment point of view, 288 samples per 24-hour period would be toomany samples if the consumption and production will be adjustedmanually. Assuming, manual adjustment, the shortest reasonable periodictime window would be 30, or 60 minutes. This would give 48 or 24 timeslots in a 24-hour period. Note that the energy profile creation couldstill utilize 288 time slots. However, the periodic time windows forenergy adjustment would be increased for the sake of practicality whenproduction and consumption will be manually adjusted. The periodic timewindow for energy adjustment must be a multiple of the periodic timewindow used in energy pricing. For example, the 5-minute periodic timewindow for energy pricing can have periodic time windows of 10, 15, 30or 60 minutes for energy adjustment.

FIG. 59 illustrates by means of a flow chart an overview of thehigh-level computing process that has an effect on the energy price viaclient energy adjustments based on feedback mechanisms. At step 5910,client meters collect data on energy production and consumption. At step5920, the data collected by the client meters is aggregated. At step5930, the data is read and processed. At step 5940, energy flowcomponentization is calculated. At step 5950, flow based energy pricesare generated. At step 5960, client and domain profiles are generated.At step 5970, the profile displays are generated and can be sent to aclient device. At step 5980, energy adjustment feedback values aregenerated and sent to a client device. The process repeats any time thatthere is a change in production or consumption within a periodic timewindow.

A system that is processing the data and generating profiles, prices andfeedback values may be a smart system that learns patterns and behaviorsfor each client node and uses that information to predict what futureprofiles, prices, and feedback values will be experienced at a clientnode.

In summary, the present inventive embodiments provide a method tooptimize the price structure of energy based on the efficiency of thepath of the flow of energy. The energy flow is split into components forindividual pricing of each split flow based on the distance or impedanceto be overcome by that portion of the energy flow. The concept ofdomains is created and mapped as tree data structures to create splitflows of energy. The present inventive embodiments also provide a methodfor obtaining feedback values based on prior energy production orconsumption behavior to adjust such energy production or consumption formaximum future revenue for the producer and minimum costs to theconsumer. Such feedback for adjusting energy production or consumptionallows adjustments to be made at the domain levels which in turn resultsin the adjustments in the proportion of the split flows. When the bestadjustment is achieved, the portion of the energy with the mostefficient energy transfer would be a larger component of the energyflow. In such a case, the client producing energy would receive a higherrevenue for energy production. If it is a client consuming energy, thecost of energy would be lower for that client.

Although the method has been illustrated and described herein withreference to preferred embodiments and specific examples, it isunderstood that other embodiments and examples may perform similarfunctions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodimentsand examples are within the spirit and scope of and are contemplated bythe present disclosure.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

A method for reducing energy loss of an electric power grid, comprisedof partitioning a digital representation of the electric power grid intomultiple domains. Each domain includes a leaf node and a parent node,the parent node is a medium through which energy passes and includes agrid substation node, a substation node, or a transformer node. The leafnode is a node that consumes or produces energy and includes a storagenode, a solar array node, an industrial client node or a residentialclient node, the leaf node having only one connection, the oneconnection connecting the leaf node to a parent node.

The domains are classified into a hierarchy of levels, each higher levelis associated with additional parent nodes and leaf nodes connected toparent nodes and leaf nodes of a lower level,

Data is received from multiple leaf nodes within a domain regardingenergy consumption and energy production that is sampled in a periodictime window for each of the leaf nodes. Using the data received anenergy profile is generated for a leaf node within a domain. Anaggregate energy profile of the domain is also generated by aggregatingenergy profiles of the plurality of leaf nodes of the domain.

The energy profile of the leaf node is compared with the aggregateenergy profile of the domain. Determine whether consumption of energyexceeds production of energy in the domain. Generate an energyadjustment feedback value for the leaf node for each periodic timewindow and provide the energy adjustment feedback value to theparticular leaf node.

Generating the energy adjustment feedback value, if the leaf node is aconsumer, comprises determining net energy consumed by the domain in theperiodic time window, determining a net energy consumption ratio for theleaf node during the periodic time window by dividing an energy consumedby the leaf node during the periodic time window by the net energyconsumed in the domain during the periodic time window; obtaining adamping factor for the leaf node; and multiplying the net energyconsumed in the domain by the net energy consumption ratio by thedamping factor.

Generating the energy adjustment feedback value if the leaf node is aproducer, comprises determining a net energy produced in the domain inthe periodic time window; determining a net energy production ratio forthe leaf node during the periodic time window, by dividing an energyproduced by the leaf node during the periodic time window by the netenergy produced in the domain during the periodic time window; obtaininga damping factor for the leaf node; and multiplying the net energyproduced in the domain by the net energy production ratio by the dampingfactor.

A higher level domain includes a leaf node and a parent node of a lowerlevel domain and an additional parent node or an additional child node.A lower level domain is nested within a higher level domain. A firstlower level domain and a second lower level domain are separate anddistinct within a high level domain.

The energy profile for the domain can be graphically represented. Thegraphical representation can take on any suitable form including atwo-dimensional graph, a bar graph, a pie graph, or a line graph.

Updating the energy profile and feedback values can be done by detectinga status change of the leaf node; sampling the energy consumption orproduction data of the leaf node during a periodic time intervalassociated with the status change; updating the energy profile for theleaf node; and generating new energy adjustment feedback values for theleaf node for each periodic time window; and providing the new energyadjustment feedback values to the leaf node.

Pricing of energy can also be affected by the feedback value. Based onthe energy adjustment feedback value, determine a production price forenergy produced at the leaf node and a consumption price for energyconsumed at the leaf node. Dynamic pricing of energy can be provided toeach leaf node based on impedances experienced by energy flows as theenergy flows travel from a producer leaf node to a consumer leaf node.

The above method can also be performed by a system comprised of aprocessor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the system to perform the method described above.

The above method can also be performed by a computer program productcomprised of a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computerprogram instructions stored therein. Execution of the computer programinstructions by one or more computing devices causes the computingdevices to: a processor; and memory storing instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to perform the methoddescribed above.

FIG. 60 illustrates an exemplary computer architecture for use with thepresent system, according to one embodiment. One embodiment ofarchitecture 6000 comprises a system bus 6010 for communicatinginformation, and a processor 6020 coupled to bus 6010 for processinginformation. Architecture 6000 further comprises a random access memory(RAM) or other dynamic storage device 6030 (referred to herein as mainmemory), coupled to bus 6010 for storing information and instructions tobe executed by processor 6020. Main memory 6030 also may be used forstoring temporary variables or other intermediate information duringexecution of instructions by processor 6020. Architecture 6000 also mayinclude a read only memory (ROM) and/or other static storage device 6040coupled to bus 6010 for storing static information and instructions usedby processor 6020.

References in this specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,”or the like mean that the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic being described is included in at least one embodiment ofthe present disclosure. Occurrences of such phrases in thisspecification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

Some portions of the detailed description may be presented in terms ofalgorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bitswithin a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are the means used by those skilled in the dataprocessing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their workto others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally,conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to adesired result. The operations are those requiring physicalmanipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily,these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capableof being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwisemanipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasonsof common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements,symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion,it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizingterms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or“determining” or “displaying” or “generating” or the like, refer to theaction and processes of a computer system, or similar electroniccomputing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented asphysical (electronic) quantities within registers and memories of thecomputer system into other data similarly represented as physicalquantities within the computer system memories or registers or othersuch information storage, transmission or display devices.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purposesystems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachingsherein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specializedapparatus to perform the methods of some embodiments. The requiredstructure for a variety of these systems will appear from thedescription below. In addition, the techniques are not described withreference to any particular programming language, and variousembodiments may thus be implemented using a variety of programminglanguages.

In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone deviceor may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient machine in a client-server network environment, or as a peermachine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may be a server computer, a client computer, a personalcomputer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a set-top box (STB), apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, an iPhone, aBlackberry, a processor, a telephone, a web appliance, a network router,switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that machine.

While the machine-readable medium or machine-readable storage medium isshown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term“machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” shouldbe taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., acentralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andservers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encodingor carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and thatcause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies ormodules of the presently disclosed technique and innovation.

In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of thedisclosure, may be implemented as part of an operating system or aspecific application, component, program, object, module or sequence ofinstructions referred to as “computer programs.” The computer programstypically comprise one or more instructions set at various times invarious memory and storage devices in a computer, and that, when readand executed by one or more processing units or processors in acomputer, cause the computer to perform operations to execute elementsinvolving the various aspects of the disclosure.

Moreover, while embodiments have been described in the context of fullyfunctioning computers and computer systems, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the various embodiments are capable of beingdistributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that thedisclosure applies equally regardless of the particular type of machineor computer-readable media used to actually effect the distribution.

Further examples of machine-readable storage media, machine-readablemedia, or computer-readable (storage) media include but are not limitedto recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memorydevices, floppy and other removable disks, hard disk drives, opticaldisks (e.g., Compact Disk Read-Only Memory (CD ROMS), Digital VersatileDisks, (DVDs), etc.), among others, and transmission type media such asdigital and analog communication links.

In some circumstances, operation of a memory device, such as a change instate from a binary one to a binary zero or vice-versa, for example, maycomprise a transformation, such as a physical transformation. Withparticular types of memory devices, such a physical transformation maycomprise a physical transformation of an article to a different state orthing. For example, but without limitation, for some types of memorydevices, a change in state may involve an accumulation and storage ofcharge or a release of stored charge. Likewise, in other memory devices,a change of state may comprise a physical change or transformation inmagnetic orientation or a physical change or transformation in molecularstructure, such as from crystalline to amorphous or vice versa. Theforegoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all examples inwhich a change in state for a binary one to a binary zero or vice-versain a memory device may comprise a transformation, such as a physicaltransformation. Rather, the foregoing is intended as illustrativeexamples.

A storage medium typically may be non-transitory or comprise anon-transitory device. In this context, a non-transitory storage mediummay include a device that is tangible, meaning that the device has aconcrete physical form, although the device may change its physicalstate. Thus, for example, non-transitory refers to a device remainingtangible despite this change in state.

I/we claim:
 1. A method for reducing energy loss of an electric powergrid, the method comprising: partitioning a digital representation ofthe electric power grid into a plurality of domains, wherein each domainincludes a leaf node and a parent node, wherein the parent node is amedium through which energy passes including a grid substation node, asubstation node, or a transformer node, and wherein the leaf node is anode that consumes or produces energy including a storage node, a solararray node, an industrial client node or a residential client node, theleaf node having only one connection, the one connection connecting theleaf node to a parent node; classifying the plurality of domains into ahierarchy of levels, wherein each higher level is associated withadditional parent nodes and leaf nodes connected to parent nodes andleaf nodes of a lower level, wherein energy flows among a plurality ofnodes in each domain experience increased impedance when crossing adomain boundary; receiving data from a plurality of leaf nodes within aparticular domain, the received data containing energy consumption dataand energy production data sampled in a periodic time window for eachleaf node of the plurality of leaf nodes; generating an energy profilefor a particular leaf node based on the received data, the particularleaf node belonging to the particular domain; generating an aggregateenergy profile of the particular domain by aggregating energy profilesof the plurality of leaf nodes of the particular domain; comparing theenergy profile of the particular leaf node with the aggregate energyprofile of the particular domain; determining whether consumption ofenergy exceeds production of energy of the particular domain; generatingan energy adjustment feedback value for the particular leaf node foreach periodic time window; and providing the energy adjustment feedbackvalue to the particular leaf node.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereingenerating the energy adjustment feedback value further comprises:determining a net energy consumed by the particular domain in theperiodic time window; determining a net energy consumption ratio for theparticular leaf node during the periodic time window by dividing anenergy consumed by the particular leaf node during the periodic timewindow by the net energy consumed in the particular domain during theperiodic time window; obtaining a damping factor for the particular leafnode; and multiplying the net energy consumed in the particular domainby the net energy consumption ratio by the damping factor.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein generating the energy adjustment feedback valuefurther comprises: determining a net energy produced in the particulardomain in the periodic time window; determining a net energy productionratio for the particular leaf node during the periodic time window, bydividing an energy produced by the particular leaf node during theperiodic time window by the net energy produced in the particular domainduring the periodic time window; obtaining a damping factor for theparticular leaf node; and multiplying the net energy produced in theparticular domain by the net energy production ratio by the dampingfactor.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the hierarchy of levelscomprises: a higher level domain includes a leaf node and a parent nodeof a lower level domain and an additional parent node or an additionalchild node.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein a lower level domain isnested within a higher level domain.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein afirst lower level domain and a second lower level domain are separateand distinct within a higher level domain. The method of claim 1,wherein the energy profile for the particular domain is graphicallyrepresented.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein graphical representationof the energy profile for the particular domain comprises: atwo-dimensional graph, a bar graph, a pie graph, or a line graph.
 9. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: detecting a status change of theparticular leaf node; sampling the energy consumption or production dataof the particular leaf node during a periodic time interval associatedwith the status change; updating the energy profile for the particularleaf node; and generating new energy adjustment feedback values for theparticular leaf node for each periodic time window; and providing thenew energy adjustment feedback values to the particular leaf node. 10.The method of claim 1 further comprising: based on the energy adjustmentfeedback value, determining a production price for energy produced atthe particular leaf node and a consumption price for energy consumed atthe particular leaf node.
 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:providing dynamic pricing of energy to each leaf node based onimpedances experienced by energy flows as the energy flows travel from aproducer leaf node to a consumer leaf node.
 12. A system comprising: aprocessor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the system to: partition a digital representation of anelectric power grid into a plurality of domains wherein each domainincludes a leaf node and a parent node; wherein the parent node is amedium through which energy passes including a grid substation node, asubstation node, or a transformer node; and wherein the leaf node is anode that consumes or produces energy comprising a storage node, a solararray node, an industrial client node or a residential client node, theleaf node having only one connection, the one connection connecting theleaf node to a parent node; classify the plurality of domains into ahierarchy of levels, wherein each higher level is associated withadditional parent nodes and leaf nodes connected to parent nodes andleaf nodes of a lower level; wherein energy flows among a plurality ofnodes in each domain experience increased impedance when crossing adomain boundary; receive data from a plurality of leaf nodes within aparticular domain, the data containing energy consumption data andenergy production data sampled in a periodic time window for each leafnode of the plurality of leaf nodes; generate an energy profile for aparticular leaf node based on the data received, the particular leafnode belonging to the particular domain; generate an aggregate energyprofile of the particular domain by aggregating energy profiles of theplurality of leaf nodes within the particular domain; compare the energyprofile of the particular leaf node with the aggregate energy profile ofthe particular domain; determine whether consumption of energy exceedsproduction of energy within the particular domain; generate energyadjustment feedback values for the particular leaf node for eachperiodic time window; and provide the energy adjustment feedback valuesto the particular leaf node.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein togenerate the energy adjustment feedback values further comprises causingthe system to: determine a net energy consumed by the particular domainin the periodic time window; determine a net energy consumption ratiofor the particular leaf node during the periodic time window, bydividing an energy consumed by the particular leaf node during theperiodic time window by the net energy consumed in the particular domainduring the periodic time window; obtain a damping factor for theparticular leaf node; and multiply the net energy consumed in theparticular domain by the net energy consumption ratio by the dampingfactor.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein to generate the energyadjustment feedback values further comprises causing the system to:determine a net energy produced in the particular domain in the periodictime window; determine a net energy production ratio for the particularleaf node during the periodic time window, by dividing an energyproduced by the particular leaf node during the periodic time window bythe net energy produced in the particular domain during the periodictime window; obtain a damping factor for the particular leaf node; andmultiply the net energy produced in the particular domain by the netenergy production ratio by the damping factor.
 15. The system of claim12 further caused to: detect a status change of the particular leafnode; sample the energy consumption or production data of the particularleaf node during a periodic time interval associated with the statuschange; update the energy profile for the particular leaf node; generatenew energy adjustment feedback values for the particular leaf node foreach periodic time window; and provide the new energy adjustmentfeedback values to the particular leaf node.
 16. The system of claim 12further caused to: use the energy adjustment feedback values todetermine a production price for energy produced at the particular leafnode and a consumption price for energy consumed at the particular leafnode.
 17. A computer program product comprising a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having computer program instructions storedtherein, execution of which by one or more computing devices causes theone or more computing devices to: a processor; and memory storinginstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto: partition a digital representation of an electric power grid into aplurality of domains wherein each domain includes a leaf node and aparent node; wherein the parent node is a medium through which energypasses including a grid substation node, a substation node, or atransformer node; wherein the leaf node is a node that consumes orproduces energy comprising a storage node, a solar array node, anindustrial client node or a residential client node, the leaf nodehaving only one connection, the one connection connecting the leaf nodeto a parent node; classify the plurality of domains into a hierarchy oflevels, wherein each higher level is associated with additional parentnodes and leaf nodes connected to the parent nodes and leaf nodes of alower level; wherein energy flows among a plurality of nodes in eachdomain experience increased impedance when crossing a domain boundary;receive data from a plurality of leaf nodes within a particular domain,the data containing energy consumption data and energy production datasampled in a periodic time window for each leaf node of the plurality ofleaf nodes; generate an energy profile for a particular leaf node basedon the data received, the particular leaf node belonging to theparticular domain; generate an aggregate energy profile of theparticular domain by aggregating energy profiles of the plurality ofleaf nodes within the particular domain; compare the energy profile ofthe particular leaf node with the aggregate energy profile of theparticular domain; determine whether consumption of energy exceedsproduction of energy within the particular domain; generate energyadjustment feedback values for the particular leaf node for eachperiodic time window; and provide the energy adjustment feedback valuesto the particular leaf node.
 18. The computer program product of claim17, wherein to generate the energy adjustment feedback values causes theone or more computing devices to: determine a net energy consumed by theparticular domain in the periodic time window; determine a net energyconsumption ratio for the particular leaf node during the periodic timewindow, by dividing an energy consumed by the particular leaf nodeduring the periodic time window by the net energy consumed in theparticular domain during the periodic time window; obtain a dampingfactor for the particular leaf node; and multiply the net energyconsumed in the particular domain by the net energy consumption ratio bythe damping factor.
 19. The computer program product of claim 17,wherein to generate the energy adjustment feedback values causes the oneor more computing devices to: determine a net energy produced in theparticular domain in the periodic time window; determine a net energyproduction ratio for the particular leaf node during the periodic timewindow, by dividing an energy produced by the particular leaf nodeduring the periodic time window by the net energy produced in theparticular domain during the periodic time window; obtain a dampingfactor for the particular leaf node; and multiply the net energyproduced in the particular domain by the net energy production ratio bythe damping factor.
 20. The computer program product of claim 17 furthercauses the one or more computing devices to: detect a status change ofthe particular leaf node; sample the energy consumption or productiondata of the particular leaf node during a periodic time intervalassociated with the status change; update the energy profile for theparticular leaf node; generate new energy adjustment feedback values forthe particular leaf node for each periodic time window; and provide thenew energy adjustment feedback values to the particular leaf node.